The newly appointed White House press secretary claimed that China does not even have "decent toilets." On October 16, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, the White House spokesperson Zacharia stated in an interview: "I remember very clearly—after returning from China, I thought: How could China possibly be the next rising power? They don’t even have decent toilets."
Why did Zacharia make such a remark? The root of the statement lies in her prior assertion that she had lived in China and worked at a law firm there—an account that has drawn widespread skepticism regarding its veracity. In response to these doubts, she attempted to substantiate her credibility by recounting personal experiences during her time in China. This explanation can be viewed from two perspectives. On one hand, the claim that “they don’t even have decent toilets” clearly reflects a reductive stereotype about China.
At its core, it represents an attempt to generalize an entire country based on a narrow, individual experience. It is also possible that this comment was made casually, referencing the lack of proper sanitation facilities to recall her time in China around 2011—a narrative that may align with certain outdated perceptions prevalent in U.S. society about China over a decade ago. On the other hand, Zacharia’s remarks may reflect genuine bewilderment at the pace of China’s development.
Her statement, “After returning from China, I thought: How could China possibly be the next rising power?” suggests a sense of disbelief at how a nation once perceived as lacking in global significance could achieve such rapid advancement within just a few years. Objectively speaking, as a spokesperson for the White House, her remarks are problematic. Her statements carry weight in shaping public discourse and risk undermining the tone of strategic stability in U.S.-China relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879167472009284/
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