MANILA, Philippines – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reminded its counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the United States’ “solemn commitments” on abiding by the one-China policy and should not renege on them.
This was discussed during both official’s first formal phone call on Friday (Jan. 24), when Minister Wang reiterated China’s position on the “Taiwan question” and urged the U.S. to “handle it prudently.”
In a readout released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang emphasized that Taiwan has been a part of China’s territory since ancient times, and will never allow Taiwan “to be split from China.”
Rubio, meanwhile, emphasized to Wang that the new U.S. administration would pursue a relationship with China that “advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Bruce added that the secretary stressed the U.S.’s commitment to its allies in the region, and expressed concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
During his confirmation hearing, Rubio warned China to “stop messing around” with its allies, particularly Taiwan and the Philippines, saying such “deeply destabilizing” actions in the region can have “enormous” effects.
Meanwhile, Wang urged “big countries to act in a manner that is befitting their status, to shoulder their due international responsibilities, maintain world peace and help countries realize common development.”
In the same readout, Wang told Rubio “to act accordingly” and “play a constructive role” for the future of the people of both countries, as well as for the peace and stability of the world.
Wang also pointed out the “direction” and that leaders of both nations have “set the tone” for China-U.S. relations.
“Two teams need to implement their important common understandings and maintain communication, manage differences and expand cooperation in line with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, with a view to promoting the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and finding the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other in the new era,” the statement read.
This was after Wang mentioned China’s President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump’s “important phone call”, during which both leaders reached a series of “common understandings.”
“The development of China-U.S. relations has come to a new important juncture. President Xi comprehensively elaborated on China's policy toward the United States. President Trump made positive response, saying that he looks forward to maintaining good relations with President Xi and emphasizing that United States and China working together can solve many problems in the world,” Wang stated.
