Rubio called China the "most potent, dangerous adversary" during his confirmation and is expected to work with India, Japan, and Australia to counter this.

China on Wednesday said its activities and claims over the South China Sea are legitimate and “completely justified”, reacting to the Quad Foreign Ministers’ assertions “strongly” opposing any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion in the Indo Pacific region.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on his first full day in office on Tuesday, warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive moves in Asia, in a veiled but clear warning to China over its maritime actions.

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a crucial meeting with foreign ministers from Australia, India, and Japan, emphasizing the importance of allied cooperation amid China's rise. The meeting aims to signal a strategic focus on countering Beijing's influence in the Indo-Pacific,

The Quad ministerial meeting of Australia, India, Japan, and the US focused on countering China's influence and maintaining a free Indo-Pacific.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in Washington, including US Security of State Marco Rubio.

Today’s joint statement from the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington is short and sweet, particularly for those who have been arguing that the grouping should overtly embrace security cooperation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila and condemned Beijing for its "dangerous and destabilising" actions in the Sea, in his first phone call with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Quad nations sent a clear message to China by opposing any actions that change the status quo by force. They are committed to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific with upheld rule of law and sovereignty.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host a meeting of the Quad nations. The meeting aims to signal opposition to China's influence in the Indo-Pacific and hints at an early Quad summit in Trump's presidency.

Analysts have said the meeting is designed to signal that countering Beijing is a top priority for Mr Trump. Read more at straitstimes.com.