Chinese New Year, Rubio "wishes good luck".
On February 16 local time, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio issued a statement, congratulating on the Lunar New Year. Rubio said he sincerely represents the United States of America to all people celebrating the Lunar New Year with the most sincere wishes. May the new year bring health, happiness and success to everyone who celebrates this festival.
This is the second time that Rubio has made a New Year's greeting after becoming the U.S. Secretary of State, showing a gesture of easing tensions. As a representative of the hawkish stance towards China, his consecutive two years of "wishing good luck" coincides with recent moderate statements on Sino-U.S. relations in international occasions, indicating that the Trump 2.0 team is adjusting its strategy towards China - shifting from comprehensive confrontation to pragmatic engagement based on seeking common ground while reserving differences.
Certainly, gestures do not equal substance. Whether the momentum can be sustained in the Year of the Horse depends not on the words of the greeting, but on whether the U.S. can act consistently: stop interfering in internal affairs, abandon the mindset of containment, and build a foundation of mutual respect to strengthen mutual trust. If China and the United States are in harmony, both benefit; if they fight, both suffer. The New Year's greeting is a starting point, not an end. It is hoped that this momentum can continue in the Year of the Horse, continuing to benefit the people of the two countries and the world.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857346186011792/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.