On Friday, the new US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expressed his “serious concerns” on Friday, on the situation in Taiwan and in the Southern China Sea on Friday during a first telephone exchange with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The latter called Washington to approach these questions with “prudence”, according to official statements.
Marco Rubio, known for his hard line vis-à-vis Beijing, reaffirmed “the commitment of the United States towards their allies in the region” and denounced “the coercive actions of China against Taiwan and in the South China Sea “Said Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the State Department, in a press release. He also recalled that the Trump administration intended to maintain bilateral relations focused on “the interests of the United States” and putting “the American people in the foreground”.
A desire for dialogue in a tense context
In response, Wang Yi insisted on the importance for the United States to respect the principle of “one China”. “We will never allow Taiwan to be separated from China,” said Chinese diplomacy chief, while urging Washington not to betray his commitments. He added that China was not overwhelming to “go beyond or replace anyone”, while defending its “legitimate right to development”.
The question of Taiwan, which Beijing considers as a Chinese province and threatens to reconquer by force if necessary, remains a major point of friction between the two powers. The United States, the main suppliers of weapons from the island, maintain historic support towards Taipei, although it does not officially recognize diplomatic status.
The Southern China Sea, a home of tensions
Regarding the Southern China Sea, a strategic navigable way claimed largely by Beijing, Wang Yi insisted on the need for cooperation. However, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to its regional allies, especially the Philippines, under a mutual defense treaty. Regular confrontations between China and Manila have fueled the fears of an escalation that could involve the United States in an armed conflict.
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Despite the differences, Wang Yi called on the two world’s largest economies to find “the way to get along in this new era,” said Donald Trump’s return to the White House. “The two parties must remain in contact, do with differences, expand cooperation and promote stable, healthy and viable development of Sino-American relations,” he said.
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