WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to Central America, including Panama, is partially about countering China, a State Department spokesperson told Fox Business, as new President Donald Trump is pushing to "take back" the Panama Canal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had his first phone call with Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said a phrase that translates to “behave yourself.” Rubio also raised concerns with his Chinese counterpart about Beijing’s actions towards Taiwan and the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has raised concerns over Beijing's coercion against Taiwan during a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Focus Taiwan reported, citing the US Department of State.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in their first phone call on Friday over the independence of Taiwan, according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. During the conversation, Wang reaffirmed China’s position that the island nation is part of China and reportedly told Rubio “I hope you will act accordingly,” a Chinese phrase usually employed by a superior warning a student or employee to behave and act responsibly. Rubio has previously called Beijing the top US threat and was twice sanctioned by China in 2020.And Rubio may have more wars of words with Wang in the future. China is reportedly ramping up efforts to encourage the independence movement on the Japanese island of Okinawa, which hosts 70% of US bases in the region – and is a mere 466 miles from Taiwan.Chinese state media frequently highlights US military crimes in Okinawa, and Chinese social media propaganda claims most Okinawans favor independence. A poll published in May 2022 showed that only 3% of residents favored full independence, although 48% supported greater autonomy through a federal arrangement with Tokyo. Reports suggest Beijing also tried but failed to establish an underground police station in Okinawa and plans to establish a Ryukyu Research Centre to remind locals of the island’s status as a former independent empire until it was annexed by Japan in 1609. Beijing has also been conducting a “charm offensive,” stressing Okinawa’s cultural ties to China – and strengthening its claim to the island.Like GZERO’s news and analysis? Be sure to follow us on MSN and subscribe to our daily newsletter.

The US secretary of state opens his term by reaffirming Washington’s commitment to the Philippines and other regional allies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his first call with his Chinese counterpart, voiced "serious concern" Friday over Beijing's "coercive" moves on Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the State Department said.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to "take back" control of the Panama Canal. Could Washington's tough talk create an opening for Beijing?

This first phone call between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched upon key, sensitive topics such as Taiwan, according to a news release by the Foreign Ministry.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Chinese Foreign Minister and Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi that the Trump administration will put the "American people first" and advance U.

The Philippine coast guard says Chinese coast guard ships and a Chinese navy helicopter harassed a group of Philippine fisheries vessels conducting a scientific survey in a hotly disputed area of the South China Sea,

The new US Secretary of State, during his first phone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressed concerns over Beijing's aggressive behavior towards Taiwan and in the South China Sea,

The Chinese coast guard and navy’s harassment of the Philippine vessels took place on Friday near Sandy Cay, three small uninhabited sandbars planked by an artificial island base of Chinese forces and a Philippines-occupied island in the Spratlys archipelago, the coast guard said.