Vice President Han Zheng, has been selected by Chinese President Xi Jinping to represent China at the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. The Chinese foreign ministry made this announcement after Trump deviated from custom by inviting Xi and other foreign leaders to his inauguration.
Even if Xi won’t be there, Han’s attendance shows that China wants to keep its relationship with the US stable and cooperative in the face of trade tensions and other important challenges. China’s selection of Han Zheng is viewed as a planned move in the ongoing rivalry between the two countries as well as a diplomatic gesture as Trump gets ready to return to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.
Xi’s move to send Han to the US, according to Neil Thomas, a fellow in Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, shows that he wants to “get Trump into deal-making mode” without becoming involved in the Trump administration’s January 20 measures.
Trump’s inauguration will be historic since it will be the first time since Grover Cleveland that a US president has been elected to a non-consecutive term. Han Zheng’s involvement is crucial as China tries to strike a balance between its desire for interaction with the US and Xi Jinping’s absence.
Because of the frigid forecast, Donald Trump’s inauguration will take place indoors. Instead of the customary outdoor platform, the event will take place in the Capitol Rotunda, where Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath to Trump.
