China's Vice President to attend Trump's inauguration

On 17 January, China announced that Vice President Han Zheng will officially represent the country at the inauguration of newly elected US President Donald Trump in Washington. This was reported by The Washington Post, citing a statement from a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Traditionally, world leaders do not receive official invitations to US presidential inaugurations. However, in December, several media outlets reported that Donald Trump had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, although the latter later declined the invitation.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Vice President Han Zheng would attend the ceremony as a "special representative of Xi Jinping". The statement also emphasised that China is ready to work with the new US administration to strengthen dialogue and find a path for the harmonious coexistence of the two countries.