China Signals Willingness to Speak With Sanctioned Marco Rubio

  • Foreign ministry says high-level exchanges with US will go on
  • Beijing sanctioned Rubio twice over remarks on Xinjiang, HK
Marco RubioPhotographer: Kevin Lamarque/Pool/Getty Images
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China indicated that sanctions on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wouldn’t impact official exchanges, in a sign that Beijing seeks to negotiate with the Trump administration over trade and other disputes.

“We believe it is necessary for high-level officials of both countries to maintain contact in an appropriate manner,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question on whether China would consider lifting sanctions on the top US diplomat.