Beijing has extended a diplomatic, albeit tongue-in-cheek, invitation to White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, suggesting she visit the country "more often" following her recent disparaging comments regarding the state of Chinese sanitation. In a recent interview, Zacharia recalled her time living in China back in 2016, questioning how the nation could be viewed as a global leader when she perceived it as lacking "proper toilets." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the remarks during a press briefing on Friday, appearing amused while encouraging Zacharia to see the country again for herself.

This controversy marks a rocky start for Zacharia, who has already faced public scrutiny during her first week in the high-profile role. Beyond the diplomatic friction caused by her comments, she has struggled to navigate her debut press briefings, including a notable gaffe where she mistakenly referred to her husband as the president. Furthermore, her professional background has come under fire, as she has provided vague answers regarding her legal credentials and why she never officially passed the bar exam, despite holding herself out as a lawyer.