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.

By bno - Taipei Bureau As tensions between the United States and China continue to simmer over trade and technology, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng’s visit to Washington has sparked significant dialogue between both nations.

In a first, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States in Washington on January 20.

China’s vice president has held meetings with the U.S. vice president-elect and business leaders including Elon Musk on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration

Mr Han said US firms were welcome in China during the sit-down in Washington with Mr Musk. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, but he is sending Vice President Han Zheng as his special representative

Live updates ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. Follow the latest news as the incoming president attends events ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony.

Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng has held talks with the US vice-president-elect J.D. Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk at separate meetings in Washington ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a "long and fruitful" relationship.

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.