Beijing / Washington, October 16, 2026: Beijing told White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia on Friday to visit China “more often” after she said the country lacked “proper toilets,” less than a week into her new post.
What she said
Zacharia made the remarks on Thursday in an interview with conservative commentator Jack Posobiec, discussing the perception around 2016 that the glory days of the US were over and China was on the horizon. She recalled thinking, having just come from China, how it could be the next country on the horizon when it did not even have proper toilets.
Beijing’s response
Asked about the comments at a regular briefing on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing welcomed her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity, reportedly fighting back a smile. The response was included in the ministry’s official transcript.
Her China background
Zacharia previously lived in China with her husband. Her LinkedIn profile says she worked as an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013. She is reportedly due to visit China next month. The SCMP linked the invitation to the US president’s expected visit to Shenzhen for the APEC summit.
A rocky start in the role
Zacharia held her first briefing on Tuesday and took questions from only three journalists. She reportedly lacked information on intelligence sharing with Ukraine and referred to her husband as “the president.” Her legal credentials have also drawn scrutiny. Asked about them, she said she had registered for the bar exam but was “distracted and overwhelmed” by plans to move to China. She said she did not retake the exam after returning to the US because of the birth of her first child.
Wider context
Trump has often spoken of his “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he has met twice this year, though ties remain strained.