China’s Vice-President Attends US Presidential Inauguration Ceremony

China’s Vice-President Sent as Special Representative to Donald Trump’s Inauguration

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has decided not to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration. However, he is sending his vice-president, Han Zheng, as a special representative.

This decision was announced by the foreign ministry in China more than a month after Trump extended an unusual invitation to Xi. The move breaks with tradition since no heads of state have previously made an official visit to the US for the inauguration.

China’s Motivation Behind Sending a Special Representative

The Chinese government is willing to work with the new US administration to enhance dialogue and communication, manage differences, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. This was stated by the foreign ministry spokesperson when announcing the decision.

International Reactions and Implications

Other foreign leaders have also been invited to Trump’s inauguration, including the Argentinian president, Javier Milei, and the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. However, China’s move has been seen as a sign of willingness to talk and negotiate with the US.

Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based thinktank Stimson Center, believes that this decision indicates China is willing to cater to what Trump wants. “It shows that China is willing to talk, negotiate, and make efforts to reach deals,” Sun wrote.

On the other hand, Danny Russel, vice-president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, thinks Beijing is hedging by sending Han instead of Xi. “Zero chance that Xi Jinping would allow himself to be a potted plant at Donald Trump’s triumphal coronation,” Russel said.

US-China Rivalry Intensifies

The dispatch of Han comes as the US-China rivalry is set to intensify. Several of Trump’s nominees for key cabinet positions are known China hawks, including senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Rubio has called China “the most potent, dangerous, and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted.”

Beijing prefers leader-level talks, which it believes could help guide the bilateral relations, while Trump likes to deal with world leaders directly. As president, Xi has traveled abroad for state visits and summits but did not attend the coronation of King Charles III or the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Key Takeaways

• China’s vice-president, Han Zheng, will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration as a special representative.

• The decision breaks with tradition since no heads of state have previously made an official visit to the US for the inauguration.

• China is willing to work with the new US administration to enhance dialogue and communication.

• The move has been seen as a sign of willingness to talk and negotiate with the US.