Trump's new press secretary questions China's potential due to ‘proper toilets,’ and Beijing responds

New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia questioned China’s ability to surpass the United States as a world power by claiming that the country does not even have "proper toilets," according to AFP.

Zacharia, 41, made the remarks during an interview aired Thursday with commentator Jack Posobiec, in which she recalled her experience living in China during the 2010s.

The press secretary explained that in 2016, there was a perception that China was on track to surpass the United States and that the years of greatest American prosperity had come to an end.

"I remember this very distinctly, having just come from China, thinking, ‘How is China the next country on the horizon? They don't even have proper toilets,’" she said.

"We welcome her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity"

The Chinese government responded on Friday with an invitation to the U.S. official.

"We welcome her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity," said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference in Beijing.

The statements come amid tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology, human rights and Taiwan, although President Donald Trump has highlighted his "great friendship" with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The two leaders have met twice this year.

Zacharia's other controversy

Zacharia took office less than a week ago, replacing Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in August to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child.

Her arrival at the White House has also been marked by questions about her professional credentials. The press secretary, who identifies herself as an attorney and claims to have worked at a law firm in Beijing, implied that she did not pass the bar exam to practice law in the United States and that she did not retake it due to family circumstances.

At her first press conference, held on Tuesday, Zacharia answered questions from only three reporters during a session lasting approximately 15 minutes.

The new spokeswoman is thus facing her first public controversies as she takes on the responsibility of communicating the Trump administration's positions.