Chinese leader Xi Jinping may not have personally accepted US President-elect Donald Trump’s invitation to his inauguration, but Beijing has taken the rare step of dispatching a top official to join the swearing-in ceremony in Washington.

Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump’s inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping.

Vice President Han Zheng will represent China at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, signalling a potential thaw in Washington-Beijing relations.View on euronews

China's Vice President Han Zheng will attend President-elect Trump's inauguration, signaling Beijing's willingness to ease tensions and foster dialogue despite previous confrontations and Trump's campaign rhetoric against China.

For Donald Trump’s inauguration, China is sending Vice President Han Zheng. This comes after the incoming US president invited Xi Jinping to attend the January 20 event — a break from tradition

Donald Trump’s second term in office is getting off to a good start for China.

Han's attendance marks a first for the two countries. Foreign heads of state usually do not attend US presidential inaugurations.

Han has used the visit to meet with members of the American business community, including Tesla CEO and close Trump associate Elon Musk, according to Chinese state agency Xinhua. Musk is widely thought to be seen by Beijing as more sympathetic to its interests than others in Trump’s orbit.

but Beijing has taken the rare step of dispatching a top official to join the swearing-in ceremony in Washington.Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended Monday’s inauguration after meeting ...

Han Zheng will represent China at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on Jan 20, marking an unprecedented senior-level attendance from Beijing.

BEIJING: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with tech tycoon Elon Musk and urged US firms to "seize the opportunity" to deepen economic ties with China, Beijing's state media said on Monday (Jan 20).

BEIJING: As Vice-President Han Zheng and Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng watched in a corner of the Capitol rotunda while Donald Trump was sworn in, China was hoping that their presence in Washington would signal a proactive reset of the tumultuous relationship.