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.