Rumors of Police Gathering Outside Trump’s Hotel; Sanctioned Rubio to Accompany Delegation

On July 11, 2023, in Washington, Marco Rubio spoke at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol. (Madalina Vasiliu/Dajiyuan)

[People News] U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the evening of the 13th, officially beginning his visit to China. Although the official itinerary has been released in advance, for security reasons, the exact route of Trump’s motorcade and the hotel where he will stay have not been disclosed. However, the Liangmaqiao embassy district in Beijing’s Chaoyang District has already entered a state of heightened security.

According to Yonhap News Agency, more than 20 public security patrol vehicles have been parked outside a five-star hotel near the U.S. Embassy in China, conducting continuous low-speed patrols. At the same time, all room types at this hotel from the 13th to the 15th have been fully “cleared” from major booking platforms. There is widespread speculation that Trump may break with tradition by not staying at the St. Regis Beijing, instead choosing the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, located about 700 meters from the U.S. Embassy, where a single night can cost as much as 100,000 RMB.

The St. Regis Beijing, which has hosted multiple U.S. presidents in the past, had been considered the most likely choice for Trump’s team. This five-star hotel has hosted Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, as well as Trump’s security and accompanying staff during his 2017 visit to China, and has long been seen as a key base for high-level U.S. visits. However, booking platforms recently showed that the St. Regis remained open to regular guests from the 13th to the 15th, which is inconsistent with the usual practices for a U.S. presidential visit. This has led to speculation that Trump may have changed his accommodation.

In contrast, the Four Seasons Hotel has shown several unusual signs recently. According to Yonhap News Agency, more than 20 police patrol vehicles were parked around the hotel on the 11th, with multiple police cars conducting low-speed patrols in surrounding streets. Nearby residents also noted that “it feels different from usual.” Although there have been no large-scale road closures, the overall security atmosphere has clearly intensified.

The Four Seasons Hotel Beijing has also previously drawn attention for hosting Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi. It is reported that the hotel’s Royal Suite includes a private office and a large banquet hall, with a nightly rate as high as 100,000 RMB—facilities suitable for hosting heads of state.

According to a list released by U.S. media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Trump’s second son Eric Trump, and Eric’s wife Lara Trump will accompany Trump on the visit.

Rubio has never visited China. During his time as a senator, he frequently criticised the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record and actively promoted related legislation. In 2020, Rubio was sanctioned twice by the Chinese government over his statements on Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Beijing has never specified the exact consequences Rubio would face under these sanctions, but such measures typically include banning the sanctioned individual and their immediate family from entering China and freezing any financial assets they may have within the country.

Chinese authorities have not publicly confirmed whether they will lift the sanctions against Rubio. However, in March this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated in response to questions about the sanctions that they were “targeted at Rubio’s words and actions toward China during his tenure as a U.S. senator.”

Agence France-Presse reported that after Trump appointed Rubio as Secretary of State, Beijing found a “workaround” diplomatically. On the eve of Rubio’s inauguration in January 2025, the Chinese government and state media began using a different Chinese character—“鲁” (Lu)—to represent the first syllable of his surname.

Two diplomats revealed that they believe this change was made because “卢比奥” (Lu Bi’ao) had been subject to sanctions, including a ban on entering China. As of now, the Chinese Embassy in the United States has not commented on the matter.

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