Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen Vice President

Han Zheng

to represent China at the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. This decision, announced by the Chinese foreign ministry, comes after Trump extended a break from tradition by inviting foreign leaders, including Xi, to his swearing-in ceremony. While Xi will not attend, Han’s presence highlights China’s desire to maintain a stable and cooperative relationship with the United States amidst tensions over trade and other key issues.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House for a non-consecutive second term, China’s choice of Han Zheng is seen as both a diplomatic gesture and a calculated move in the ongoing rivalry between the two nations.
Neil Thomas, a fellow in Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told the BBC that Xi's decision to send Han to the US indicates his desire to "get Trump into deal-making mode" without wanting to play a secondary role in the Trump administration's actions on January 20.

Trump’s inauguration will be a historic moment, marking the first time a US president has been elected to non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland. Although Xi Jinping will not attend, Han Zheng’s role is pivotal as China seeks to balance its desire for dialogue with the US.
Donald Trump’s inauguration will be held indoors due to a cold forecast.
The event will be held in the Capitol Rotunda, rather than the usual outdoor platform, with Trump taking the oath administered by Chief Justice John Roberts.
Trump has invited tech moguls Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, alongside more traditional guests like cabinet nominees. Outgoing President Joe Biden and former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama will attend, with some foreign leaders invited, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, representing Xi Jinping.