In his first official call with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns about China’s pressure on Taiwan and its actions in the South China Sea. In response, the Chinese minister expressed hope that the newly confirmed US official would make the right decisions.

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement Friday that Rubio stressed to Wang that the new US administration would seek a partnership with China that “advances US interests and puts the American people first. The secretary also stressed the United States’ commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea,” she said. Wang told Rubio that both sides should follow the "important agreements" made between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, according to a statement from the Chinese government. Wang emphasised that Beijing would never permit Taiwan to separate from the mainland and urged the US to handle issues related to Taiwan with caution.

“A major country should act like one. It should shoulder its due international responsibilities, safeguard world peace, and help countries achieve common development,” Wang said, according to the statement. “I hope you will conduct yourself properly and play a constructive role in the future of the Chinese and American people, as well as in world peace and stability.”

The term "hao zi wei zhi" in Wang's remarks to Rubio was translated in a video posted on China Central Television's website on Saturday in several ways, including "behave yourself," "make the right choice," and "be very prudent" about one's words and actions. Wang Yi has given a subtle warning to Marco Rubio, asking him to ‘behave himself’. Wang used a phrase often used by Chinese teachers or bosses to remind someone to behave properly and take responsibility. This seemed directed at Rubio’s past outspoken criticism of China’s human rights record during his time as a U.S. senator. Back in 2020, Rubio’s comments even led the Chinese government to impose sanctions on him twice.

In November, Trump won the U.S. election after promising to impose heavy tariffs on China and bring back manufacturing jobs to America. After taking office, the new U.S. president surprised many by delaying plans for tariffs on China, giving Beijing some unexpected relief. He also offered a lifeline to China-owned ByteDance Ltd., granting it 75 days to secure a U.S. partner for TikTok. This move could prevent the popular social media app from being banned in the United States.

Earlier this month, Rubio used his confirmation hearing to accuse Beijing of hacking and stealing its way to becoming a global superpower. On Monday, the Senate approved the secretary of state, making him the first of Trump’s cabinet members to be confirmed.

In 2020, China imposed sanctions on Rubio twice for criticising its actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, as well as for pushing laws aimed at penalising the Chinese government. However, the latest statement from China did not mention these sanctions. China does not aim to surpass or replace anyone but must protect its legitimate rights, Wang told Rubio, according to the statement.