"Behave," the Chinese foreign minister subtly warned US State Secretary Marco Rubio.

Speaking to Rubio for the first time since he was confirmed as US President Donald Trump's top diplomat, Wang Yi delivered the message.

Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, said something that roughly translates to "behave yourself" during a phone conversation with Marco Rubio, the United States' incoming secretary of state, on Friday.

Speaking to Rubio for the first time since he was confirmed as US President Donald Trump's top diplomat, Wang Yi delivered the message.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement, Wang said Rubio, "I hope you will act accordingly." This is a Chinese expression that is commonly used by a teacher or boss to caution a student or employee to behave and take responsibility for their conduct, as reported by AP.

As a US senator, Rubio has been vocal in his criticism of China, which has caused a chilly relationship between the two countries. He has questioned China's record on human rights. In 2020, the Chinese government sanctioned him twice.

Instead of using "act accordingly," the Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously used "make the right choice" and "be very prudent about what they say or do."

According to Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, the phrase's ambiguity permits it to convey a veiled warning and an expectation while yet upholding the civility required for future diplomatic interactions.

According to Wang, "what might seem confusing is actually an intended effect that comes from Chinese traditional wisdom and classic practice of speech."

Rubio mentioned during his confirmation hearing how crucial it is to read the original Chinese in order to comprehend what China's leader, Xi Jinping, is saying.

He advised against reading the English translation they released since it is never accurate.

Rubio's remarks to China
Rubio informed Wang that the Trump administration would further US interests in its relationship with China, according to the US statement on the call, which did not use the exact term. "Serious concern over China's coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea" was stated in the statement.

When China imposed sanctions on Rubio in July and August of 2020, Wang was the country's foreign minister.

Known for his strong anti-Chinese views, Donald Trump was elected president of the United States earlier this month. He wants to pose a geopolitical and financial threat to China.

China emphasized the importance of a multipolar, rules-based world shortly after Trump's inauguration.