Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Although Xi received an invitation, two sources told agencies that he is not expected to participate.
Chinese Officials to Represent Beijing
However, China’s ambassador to the US and his spouse will attend the event, following standard diplomatic protocol. Additionally, other officials from Beijing may join them. Meanwhile, inauguration officials have assigned staff to handle diplomatic arrangements for foreign dignitaries during the ceremony.
Silence from Both Sides
So far, the Chinese embassy in Washington has refused to comment on Xi’s plans. Similarly, Trump’s transition team has not responded to inquiries about the matter, CBS News reported.
Trump Talks About Relations
Meanwhile, Trump shared his thoughts on US-China relations during a statement on Thursday. He remarked, “We have a good relationship with China. I have a good relationship. We’ve been talking and discussing with President Xi some things.” However, he did not provide further details or address Xi’s possible attendance at the inauguration.
Rising US-China Tensions
At the same time, the invitation comes amid increasing tensions between the two countries. Recently, US intelligence revealed a large-scale cyberattack on eight American telecom companies. Investigators believe Chinese hackers accessed metadata affecting millions of Americans, including Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Overall, the strained relationship between the US and China underscores the challenges the Trump administration will face in managing diplomatic ties.