Beijing: China signaled Tuesday that it would engage with the new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was sanctioned by Beijing in 2020. "China will firmly defend national interests. In the meantime, it's necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in response to a question about whether China would consider dropping sanctions against Rubio, who was confirmed Monday as secretary of state in the new Trump administration.

According to Anadolu Agency, China placed sanctions on Rubio along with several US nationals, including lawmakers, as a retaliatory measure against a national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing. This development comes as both nations navigate a complex relationship characterized by ongoing tensions and the need for dialogue on various global issues.