13.05.2026 19:50
The US President Donald Trump's official visit to China after 8.5 years saw a clever solution to a long-standing sanctions issue for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was part of the delegation. According to France24, China bypassed the sanctions on paper by writing the "ru" syllable in Rubio's surname with a different character. Through this diplomatic maneuver, Rubio, whose name was previously on the blacklist, was able to enter China smoothly alongside Trump.
It has been revealed that the Chinese government eliminated its years-long sanctions against the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio through a 'clever' character change in his name. According to a report by France24 citing diplomatic sources, Beijing changed the Chinese spelling of Rubio's name, effectively removing the obstacles on paper that barred the US Secretary of State from entering the country.
NAME CHANGED, SANCTIONS LIFTED
Years ago, after Marco Rubio's harsh criticism of human rights violations in China, the angered Beijing administration imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on Rubio. However, with Donald Trump appointing Rubio as Secretary of State and Rubio's inclusion in the delegation for a China visit, the situation reversed. Just before the transition ceremony in January 2025, the Chinese government and official media began rendering the first syllable 'ru' of Rubio's surname with a different Chinese character.
DIPLOMATIC 'BACK DOOR' FORMULA
Diplomatic sources between the two countries confirmed that this character change was a deliberate 'back door' formula. This way, Rubio was technically removed from being the person on the sanctions list, paving the way for him to make official visits to China alongside President Trump.
In the past, Chinese media and officials who harshly targeted Marco Rubio, through this minor linguistic change, appeared not to have backed down while clearing the biggest physical obstacle to diplomacy with the US in the new era.
OUTFIT CAUSED UPROAR
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's choice of clothing during his China visit sparked major controversy. Rubio's decision to wear the same tracksuit that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro wore when he was abducted drew backlash on social media and in diplomatic circles.