Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump's inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping and a long-time survivor of Chinese politics who rose from toiling on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the most powerful people in the country.

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 Zheng, China's vice president, met with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and Tesla Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk in the United States. Han is on a visit to the U.S. to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

(250120) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

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.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping sent Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration, an official whose seniority signals Beijing is ready to engage. After arriving in the U.S., Han wasted no time in doing just that.

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.

Excerpt: A Chinese presidential envoy has met with Vance and Musk to hold discussions on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration. China’s Vice President Han Zheng met with US Vice

Han Zheng is scheduled to attend the celebrations in Washington D.C. on Monday and is the most senior Chinese official to attend a U.S. inauguration.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend Donald Trump's inauguration, marking a significant change as no senior Chinese official has previously done so. This visit aims to improve US-China relations amidst concerns over Trump's cabinet's stance on China.