Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China's sanctions are aimed at targeting the words and deeds that harm China's legitimate rights and interests.

Mao made the remarks when asked at a regular news briefing whether China has changed the Chinese translation of one character in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's name and if that means any change in sanctions against him.

"I have not noticed this change, but I will get to know about it. But more importantly, I think his English name is more important," Mao told reporters, adding that China's sanctions target deeds and words that harm China's legitimate interests.