BEIJING — China’s experienced foreign minister has sent a subtle message to America’s new secretary of state, urging him to maintain decorum.
During a phone conversation on Friday, which marked the first dialogue since Marco Rubio’s confirmation as President Donald Trump’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his wishes clearly.
“I hope you will act accordingly,” Wang told Rubio, as reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. This phrase is often used in China to communicate a sentiment typical of a teacher cautioning a student or an employer advising an employee to be responsible for their conduct.
This statement seemed to target Rubio’s outspoken criticism of China’s human rights issues during his tenure as a senator, which had previously led the Chinese government to impose sanctions on him twice in 2020.
Different translations of this phrase have emerged in the past, such as “make the right choice” and “be very prudent about what they say or do.” The vague nature of Wang’s language allows it to serve as both an expectation and a cautious warning while still adhering to the formalities required for ongoing diplomatic dialogue, as noted by Zichen Wang, a research associate at a Chinese think tank.
“What might seem confusing is, in fact, an intentional outcome rooted in traditional Chinese wisdom and communication practices,” Zichen Wang shared. He is currently pursuing advanced studies at Princeton University.
Rubio, during his confirmation hearings, emphasized the necessity of examining original Chinese text to fully grasp the statements from Chinese leaders like Xi Jinping. He remarked, “Don’t read the English translation they provided, as it is rarely accurate.”
While a U.S. statement regarding the phone call did not mention Wang’s phrase, it highlighted that Rubio informed Wang about the Trump administration’s commitment to promoting U.S. interests in dealings with China. Rubio also conveyed “serious concerns” regarding China’s assertive maneuvers toward Taiwan and its activities in the South China Sea.
It was during 2020, when Wang served as foreign minister, that China enacted sanctions against Rubio, first in July and then in August. These sanctions were a reaction to U.S. measures against Chinese officials stemming from a crackdown on the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, alongside what China perceived as external interference in Hong Kong.
The imposed sanctions include travel restrictions to China. Although the Chinese government has indicated a willingness to interact with Rubio in his new role, it has not clearly stated whether he would be permitted to visit for discussions.
