The key facts

  • Karoline Zacharia, 41, was appointed White House press secretary less than a week ago, previously lived in China and plans a visit there next month (AFP).
  • She said in an interview with Jack Posobiec that in 2016, upon returning from China, she thought: 'How is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have normal toilets.'
  • Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded on Friday: 'We invite her to visit China more often when there is an opportunity.'

The toilet remark and Beijing's reaction

White House press secretary Karoline Zacharia, appointed to the post less than a week ago, said in an interview published on Thursday that China 'does not have normal toilets.' Zacharia, who previously lived in China, recalled the perception in 2016, when it was believed that China would soon overtake the US. 'We were all told that Hillary (Clinton) would win. America's golden days were over. That China was on the horizon,' she told right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec. 'I remember it very vividly, having just come back from China, I thought: How is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have normal toilets.' In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on Friday, suppressing a smile: 'We invite her to visit China more often when there is an opportunity.'

Context of US-China relations

According to AFP, the remark came against the backdrop of years of intense US-China rivalry over trade, technology, Taiwan and human rights. Trump has repeatedly spoken of his 'wonderful relationship' with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Euronews, at the September summit in Washington, the leaders discussed topics ranging from AI and trade to the stalled war in Iran and confirmed their intention to hold third and fourth meetings this year. AFP notes that Trump has met with Xi twice this year, although relations remain tense. According to AFP, Zacharia plans to visit China next month.

Criticism of the newcomer and questions about her legal education

Zacharia, 41, is already under close scrutiny over her legal qualifications: she failed to give a clear answer about where she took the bar exam required for legal practice in the US. She calls herself a lawyer, lists herself as general counsel of a California conservative nonprofit, and says she worked at a law firm in Beijing. On Thursday she explained that she registered for the exam but was 'distracted and overwhelmed' by plans to move to China with her husband, and after returning to the US did not retake the exam due to the birth of her first child. AFP also notes that her remarks came days after a contentious debut before the White House press corps, where, in the view of many, she failed to answer basic questions and at one point called her husband the president. She held her first briefing on Tuesday, answering questions from only three journalists. Zacharia replaced Karoline Leavitt, who left in August to care for young children.