Rubio, in the first telephone call between the two top diplomats under the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, told Wang that Trump, who began his second term on Monday, would pursue a relationship with China that "advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first," a State Department statement said, according to
Reuters.
"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," it said.
China's foreign ministry said the two discussed U.S.-China relations and Taiwan. "I hope you would conduct yourself well and play a constructive role in the future of the Chinese and American people and in world peace and stability," Wang told Rubio, who in his Senate confirmation hearing last week labeled China as the gravest threat facing the United States.
The talks came after Trump said on Wednesday he was considering a 10% duty on Chinese imports because of Beijing's role in the fentanyl trade.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry's statement, Wang told Rubio their respective heads of state had "pointed out the direction and established the tone for China-U.S. relations."
"The teams of both sides should implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, maintain communication, manage differences, expand cooperation, promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and find the right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era," Wang said.
Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump agreed in a phone call ahead of the latter's inauguration, to create a strategic communication channel on "major issues."
Trump said at a speech to the World Economic Forum on Thursday that he sees a very good relationship between the United States and China, and that he hopes China can help end Russia's war in Ukraine.
