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 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 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 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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has designated Vice President Han Zheng to represent China at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This decision signals China’s desire for stable relations with the US while avoiding the spotlight at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony.

Donald Trump’s second term in office is getting off to a good start for China.

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.

Vice President Han Zheng will attend the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, the Foreign Ministry announced on

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.

The crowded scene in the Capitol Rotunda on Inauguration Day featured four of the world’s five wealthiest men, five U.S. presidents, influential sporting figures and two other foreign leaders with prime seats on the dais.

About 20,000 Trump supporters have gathered at Capital One Arena in Washington Monday afternoon, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to address the crowd later in the day. Trump is also expected to sign several executive actions at the area during his on-stage appearance.