China Sends Vice-President Han Zheng to Trump’s Inauguration: A Historic First

China will send Vice-President Han Zheng to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, marking the first time that a senior Chinese leader will witness the swearing-in of a U.S. president. This move comes after an invitation from Trump to Chinese President Xi Jinping, a notable departure from tradition, as foreign leaders typically do not attend U.S. presidential inaugurations.

The attendance of Han Zheng signals China’s interest in fostering a cooperative relationship with the incoming U.S. administration. Beijing has expressed its intention to work with the new U.S. government to “find the right way for the two countries to get along with each other in the new era.” However, the Trump presidency is expected to bring new challenges, particularly in the form of trade tensions. Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese-made imports, a move that could further strain the already delicate trade relationship between the two countries.

In the wake of this uncertainty, Beijing is preparing for a more combative approach from Washington, especially with figures like Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, labeling China as “the largest, most advanced adversary America has ever faced.” As tensions rise, both nations will need to navigate the complexities of their relationship in the coming years.

Xi Sends Vice-President Han Zheng to Trump’s Inauguration: A Calculated Move in U.S.-China Relations

For the first time, China will send Vice-President Han Zheng to witness the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, marking a notable shift in Beijing’s approach to international political ceremonies. While Xi Jinping has never attended an inauguration or coronation, choosing instead to send representatives, Han’s presence underscores China’s serious interest in engaging with the new U.S. administration. Han’s attendance, however, is also a clear sign that China intends to avoid playing a secondary role in the “Trump show.”

Xi’s decision reflects his desire to establish a working relationship with Trump without appearing subservient. According to Neil Thomas, a fellow in Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, sending Han allows China to signal its willingness to engage with Trump on a deal-making basis, while maintaining its own diplomatic stature. This decision is significant, as Beijing typically opts for sending its ambassadors to such events, as seen during the last two U.S. inaugurations in 2017 and 2021.

The Chinese government’s cautious approach to Trump’s inauguration stands in contrast to its willingness to send high-level officials to similar ceremonies in other countries. Han attended Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration in October, and his predecessor, Wang Qishan, represented China at the inaugurations of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Brazilian President Lula da Silva in recent years.

Trump’s outreach to Xi, which included inviting him to the inauguration, represents a strategic effort to maintain open dialogue with both allies and adversaries. According to Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the invitation illustrates the President’s commitment to creating dialogues with nations regardless of their relationship with the U.S., including adversaries and competitors. This is also seen as an attempt to reinforce Trump’s image as someone with the ability to influence Xi’s decision-making, reinforcing a sense of a “special relationship” between the two leaders.

Despite these efforts, there were internal discussions within Trump’s team about sending a higher-ranking official to represent China. Some advisors suggested that Cai Qi, Xi’s right-hand man, could attend instead of Han or Foreign Minister Wang Yi. However, as Vice-President, Han Zheng holds a senior position in China’s political hierarchy, and his decision to attend is considered a gesture of respect toward Trump, according to Chong Ja-Ian, a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China. This carefully chosen diplomatic move reveals the delicate balance China is trying to strike in its relations with the incoming U.S. administration.

Han Zheng’s Role in China’s Diplomatic Strategy for Trump’s Inauguration

Han Zheng, appointed Vice-President of China in March 2023, holds a significant role in Chinese politics as the “number eight” leader, ranking just below the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee. His appointment marks a step down from his earlier position as a full member of the Politburo Standing Committee until October 2022, when Xi Jinping began his third term and appointed his most trusted deputies to senior roles.

Having spent most of his political career in Shanghai, Han is no stranger to foreign affairs. In his capacity as vice-president, he has led efforts to promote China’s Belt and Road initiative, a major global trade and infrastructure project, and was also instrumental in overseeing the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. His experience in international diplomacy makes him a logical choice to represent China at high-profile events like Trump’s inauguration.

However, Han’s absence from the Politburo Standing Committee may have played a role in Beijing’s decision to send him rather than a more senior leader. This decision allows Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to maintain a delicate balance in U.S.-China relations. Should relations between the two countries take a turn for the worse, sending Han—a leader not seen as part of Xi’s innermost circle—provides the CCP with a degree of distance from Trump.

Prof. Chong Ja-Ian, a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China, suggests that this strategic move enables Beijing to engage with Trump while still keeping a buffer between its top leadership and the potentially contentious relationship with the new U.S. administration.

Neil Thomas, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, further underscores that while Han is trusted by Xi to undertake the mission, he is not considered a key ally. This gives China the flexibility to shift blame onto Han if the engagement with Trump leads to any diplomatic embarrassment. By sending Han, China ensures it retains some control over its interactions with the U.S. while minimizing the potential political risks for Xi and the CCP.

Courtesy: Firstpost

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