Overview
- Video from Thursday’s meeting in Beijing shows Marco Rubio looking up at the East Hall ceiling, pointing out details, giving a thumbs-up, and motioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to look.
- The clip spread fast on social media with mockery and praise, and outlets reported no diplomatic fallout from the brief exchange.
- Reports describe the East Hall’s ceiling as a traditional Chinese design with dou gong wooden brackets, sunken zao jing panels, three large octagons, and crystal chandeliers.
- Coverage pairs the viral moment with substance from the talks, with Rubio telling NBC that Trump and Xi discussed global oil stability, maritime security, and that the U.S. is not seeking Chinese help on Iran.
- The visit also drew notice because Rubio joined the U.S. delegation despite Chinese sanctions imposed on him in 2020, which outlets cited as background to his presence.