Rubio, a longtime China hawk and former senator, had been sanctioned twice by Beijing over his criticism of China’s human rights policies, including measures linked to alleged forced labor involving the Uyghur minority and Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong.

The sanctions, imposed before Rubio joined the administration, reportedly included an entry ban under the original Chinese spelling of his name.Two diplomats familiar with the matter said Chinese authorities began using a different Chinese character for the “Lu” portion of Rubio’s surname shortly before he took office in January 2025, effectively sidestepping the technical implications of the earlier sanctions.

China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately comment on the reported change.A U.S. State Department official confirmed Rubio was traveling with Trump aboard Air Force One but declined to address questions regarding the sanctions issue.

Rubio’s visit marks his first trip to China and comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to stabilize ties with Beijing while simultaneously competing over trade, technology and regional security.

As a senator, Rubio was among the most outspoken congressional critics of China and played a central role in drafting legislation that imposed broad U.S. sanctions tied to alleged abuses against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region.

During his Senate confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Rubio described China as an unprecedented geopolitical challenge for the United States.Since taking office, however, Rubio has aligned more closely with Trump’s emphasis on maintaining economic engagement with China.

Trump has repeatedly characterized Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend and prioritized efforts to deepen trade cooperation despite persistent tensions over Taiwan, security issues and human rights.

Rubio nevertheless reassured allies in Taiwan last year by stating that the administration would not negotiate the future of the self-governing island in exchange for trade concessions from Beijing.

The visit underscores the increasingly pragmatic tone adopted by both Washington and Beijing as the world’s two largest economies seek to manage strategic rivalry while preserving high-level diplomatic channels.

The aircraft, intended for presidential transport and eventual use as part of the highly secure Air Force One fleet, has completed required modification and flight testing and is currently being painted in a new red, white and blue livery, according to an Air Force statement.“The aircraft has officially completed modification and flight testing and is being painted. The aircraft is on schedule to roll out this summer,” the statement said.

The luxury jet, reportedly valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, was offered by Qatar in May 2025 and later accepted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Pentagon. Officials said the transfer complied with federal rules and regulations.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said at the time that the Defense Department would ensure the aircraft met all security and mission requirements necessary for transporting the U.S. president, including protections required for one of the world’s most sensitive military aircraft platforms.

The arrangement has triggered criticism from legal scholars and ethics experts who point to the U.S. Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which bars government officials from accepting gifts from any “King, Prince, or foreign State” without congressional consent.

Critics argue that accepting such a gift from a foreign government could create conflicts of interest or raise questions about influence over U.S. policy, particularly given the strategic importance of U.S.-Qatar relations in the Gulf region.Trump has dismissed those concerns, saying refusing the aircraft would be impractical and financially unwise for the U.S. government.

“It would be stupid not to take it,” Trump said previously, rejecting claims that the gift created an ethical problem.The decision also prompted security concerns among defense analysts, who noted that integrating a foreign-donated aircraft into the presidential fleet requires extensive inspections, retrofitting and intelligence-grade security upgrades to meet White House transport standards.

The current Air Force One fleet, based on heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft, includes extensive classified communications systems, missile defense countermeasures and secure command capabilities designed to function during national emergencies.The addition of the Qatar-gifted aircraft comes as the U.S. government continues work on delayed next-generation presidential aircraft replacements, a process that has faced repeated cost overruns and schedule setbacks.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington from Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place regardless of whether the truce is extended. “Maybe I won’t extend it,” he said, adding that without a deal, military operations could resume.

At the same time, Trump struck an optimistic tone about ongoing diplomacy, telling reporters that developments in the Middle East were “going very well” and suggesting a resolution was close. “I think it’s going to happen,” he said, referring to a prospective agreement.

In separate remarks, Trump said there were “no sticking points” remaining in negotiations, describing a deal as “very close,” though he did not provide details on the substance of the talks.The ceasefire, which has paused hostilities between U.S. and Iranian forces, remains fragile amid continued military pressure, including the blockade targeting Iranian ports.

The outcome of negotiations in the coming days is expected to determine whether the truce evolves into a longer-term settlement or collapses, potentially triggering renewed escalation.

Trump stated that the underground facility is being built as part of the broader development linked to the ballroom, though he did not disclose further details regarding its purpose, scale, or operational timeline. The comments mark the first public acknowledgment of such a project beneath the White House grounds.

The president provided no specifics on the nature of the complex, including whether it is intended for security, command, or logistical functions. The White House and the Department of Defense have not issued formal statements elaborating on the project.

Large-scale subterranean infrastructure associated with executive facilities in Washington has historically been tied to continuity-of-government planning and national security requirements, though no direct confirmation was provided in this case.

Trump said the project is “under construction” and “ahead of schedule,” suggesting an accelerated timeline for completion. It remains unclear when construction began or which military or civilian contractors are involved.

The ballroom project itself has not been extensively detailed in official disclosures, and its integration with a military-linked underground facility raises questions about the scope and coordination of the development.

Presidential infrastructure expansions in Washington are typically subject to stringent security protocols, often involving coordination between multiple federal agencies. Any underground complex beneath the White House would likely fall under classified planning frameworks, limiting public visibility into its design and function.

No cost estimates or congressional oversight details were immediately available.