Marco Rubio

We always respond by saying anything that would compel or force a change in what we have now would be problematic, and that we would certainly, our policies on that have not changed.

One of the things the Chinese emphasize, which we agree, is strategic stability in our relationship, a constructive relationship, but also one that establishes strategic stability so that we don't have misunderstandings that could lead to broader conflict.

And so we always reiterate the point.

We hear them when they say this.

We always respond by saying anything that would compel or force a change in what we have now would be problematic, and that we would certainly, our policies on that have not changed.

Rubio was banned from China in 2020 for his role in condemning the government's treatment of the Uyghur population.

Although the ban is bound by Chinese law, officials in Beijing have found a workaround to get Rubio into the country.

The resolution banning Rubio had the secretary's name translated into Chinese characters.

In a comical bureaucratic maneuver, Chinese officials are simply changing the translation.

By spelling Rubio's name with a different Chinese character as written in the ban, the law can be circumvented.

Melissa Chen of The Spectator explained why China opted for the loophole rather than rescinding the ban.

Policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today and as of the meeting that we had here today.

It was raised.

They always raise it on their side.

We always make our position and we move on to the other topics.

For the other topics, we know where they stand, and I think they know where we stand.

Do you think China wants to invade Taiwan?

Well, I think China's preference is probably to have Taiwan willingly, voluntarily join them.

In a perfect world, what they would want is some vote or a referendum in Taiwan that agrees to fold in.

I think that's what they would prefer.