China Warns New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "Behave Yourself"

In a recent diplomatic exchange, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi provided a subtle admonition to newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, advising him to “act accordingly.” This phone conversation marked their first interaction since Rubio took office, and Wang's choice of words seemed to reflect a caution against Rubio's previous critiques of China's actions as a senator, which led to sanctions against him in 2020.

The phrase Wang used, typically associated with authority figures reminding others to behave properly, was interpreted as a veiled caution. Zichen Wang, a research fellow, pointed out that the use of vague language serves multiple purposes, allowing the Chinese government to express expectations while also maintaining a diplomatic tone. The expectation conveyed through this phrase was likely intended to keep open lines of diplomatic communication despite the underlying tension.

During his confirmation, Rubio stressed the importance of understanding the nuances in Chinese language, suggesting that translations could often misrepresent the intentions behind statements from Chinese leadership. In their conversation, Rubio reportedly communicated that the Trump administration would focus on advancing American interests regarding China. The Chinese government has not clarified whether it would permit Rubio to visit despite earlier sanctions, which included travel restrictions tied to U.S. actions against Chinese officials for various human rights abuses.