Donald Trump, the President of the United States, arrived in Beijing, China on the night of the 13th local time. When China sent Vice President Han Zheng, who holds a limited position, to greet him at the airport, it was interpreted as China revealing an intention of prioritizing practical interests over appearances.
The New York Times assessed that China delivered a layered message by sending Vice President Han Zheng, who is high in protocol rank but has stepped back from a powerful position, to greet at the airport.
Vice President Han stepped down from the Politburo Standing Committee, the pinnacle of Chinese power, after 2022 and has also left the Central Committee. Since being inaugurated as Vice President in 2023, he has been in a quasi-retired state, performing only ceremonial roles as a senior diplomatic envoy.
The New York Times pointed out that when President Trump visited China in 2017, a heavyweight figure like Politburo member Yang Jiechi, considered next in the Communist Party’s hierarchy, was sent to greet.
It further interpreted, citing experts, that sending Vice President Han to greet at the airport reflects a more challenging and confident attitude from China compared to the past.