In 2020, Senator Marco Rubio was among 11 US officials sanctioned by China. This move was in retaliation for Washington's sanctions against then-Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other officials from the special administrative region and mainland China.
The sanctions meant Rubio was barred from entering China, and Beijing has never announced his removal from this list. Consequently, his appearance as US Secretary of State in President Donald Trump's delegation to China from 13-15/5 sparked questions and discussions across Chinese social media platforms.
"Rubio has been sanctioned by China for years and banned from entering the country. Yet today, Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands with him," one account posted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US officials shake hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing on 14/5. *Video: X/@nostayug*
Social media users also discussed the Chinese state media's use of a different transliteration when referring to Secretary of State Rubio. Previously, Chinese media transliterated his surname as "Lo Bi Ao," but this transliteration was recently changed to "Lo Bi Ao."
AFP cited two unnamed diplomats who stated that China made this adjustment because Rubio was under sanctions; using the former transliteration would have prevented his entry into China.
Commenting on the issue, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said Rubio was only sanctioned for "words and actions targeting Beijing when he was a US senator."
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio sits next to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing on 14/5. *Photo: AP*
The US Department of State has not commented on the information.
Rubio had previously drawn attention for wearing a tracksuit similar to the attire worn by former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro when he was escorted to the US, an incident that garnered millions of online views.
Ngoc Anh (According to CNN, Guardian, NY Post)
