Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will send a high-level envoy to the inauguration of Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, according to a report by the Financial Times (FT) on January 10. This marks an unprecedented move, as in the past, China has typically participated in U.S. presidential inaugurations through its ambassador in Washington. The FT interpreted the sending of a high-level envoy by Xi as an attempt to reduce friction between the two countries in anticipation of Trump’s second term.
The FT reported, citing multiple sources, that China has informed Trump’s transition team that a top Chinese official will attend the inauguration on behalf of Xi Jinping on January 20. The envoy is also expected to hold meetings with Trump’s transition team.
Trump had earlier invited Xi to the inauguration. This unusual move by Trump was seen as a sign of his intent to resume engagement with Xi, similar to what he pursued during his first term. It is also reported that China, anticipating potential trade tensions following Trump’s return to the White House, has been making efforts to meet with Trump’s close associates since before the election results in November.
Han Zheng, Vice President of China, and Wang Yi, the head of foreign affairs and Foreign Minister, are considered as potential envoys. Han frequently attends official ceremonies on behalf of Xi. However, some of Trump’s associates are reportedly seeking an envoy with even greater authority, such as Cai Qi, the director of the Chinese Communist Party’s General Office, who is Xi’s chief of staff. Another source noted that sending a lower-ranking envoy might discontent Trump, emphasizing the need for China to send a suitably high-ranking official to properly initiate relations.
Meanwhile, the possibility of Xi attending the ceremony in person is deemed very low. Dennis Wilder, a former senior advisor on China at the White House, noted that Xi likely views Trump as too unpredictable to personally attend the inauguration, opting instead to send a high-level envoy to meet with Trump and his cabinet, thereby ensuring the import of a significant diplomatic message without the risk of returning empty-handed or suffering public embarrassment.