Xi Jinping to send top-level Chinese official to Trump's inauguration
Photo: Donald Trump and Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
The leader of China, Xi Jinping, plans to send a high-ranking representative to the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. This move could indicate Beijing's intention to ease tensions in its relations with the United States, according to the Financial Times.
China has informed Trump’s transition team that a senior official will attend the ceremony instead of Xi. The envoy will likely also hold talks with Trump’s team.
Interestingly, Trump had previously made an unusual move by inviting Xi to attend his inauguration on January 20. This demonstrated Trump's intention to restore engagement with the Chinese leader, which he pursued during his first term in the White House.
At the same time, Beijing is attempting to reduce tensions with Washington. Specifically, Chinese officials sought to meet with Trump’s advisors ahead of the US elections in November.
According to the outlet, Xi might send his deputy, Han Zheng, who sometimes substitutes for the head of state in ceremonial roles. Another option could be Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
However, some of Trump’s advisors would prefer to see Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, at the ceremony. Cai is considered to have significantly more influence than Han or Wang, as he is a close confidant of Xi.
One source told that Trump’s team is concerned he may be dissatisfied if the Chinese representative attending the inauguration is only of the rank of Wang or Han, given that the invitation was specifically extended to Xi.
According to a Chinese expert, Wang would not be considered a sufficiently senior official, as he ranks below both Cai and Han.
At the same time, the outlet notes that the presence of any senior Chinese official would be unprecedented, as China has historically been represented only by its ambassador in Washington at similar events.
“Trump is probably deemed too unpredictable for Xi to take the domestic risk of attending in person,” said Dennis Wilder, a former senior White House China advisor.
Wilder added that by sending a high-ranking special envoy to meet with Trump and his team, Xi could signal his desire to start relations with the Trump administration “on the right foot.”
US presidential elections and cooperation with China
Earlier, Xi Jinping assured current President Joe Biden that he would work with Trump’s team on "key issues," referring to cybercrime, and trade with Taiwan and Russia.
It was later revealed that Trump had invited Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration. This would be an unprecedented event for China, Washington's central geopolitical rival.
