Chinese officials and ordinary people are hopeful but on edge as Donald Trump returns to the White House, eager to avoid a repeat of the bruising trade war that drove a wedge between the economic superpowers during his first term.

Vice-President Han Zheng called on Sunday for the business community of the United States to continue to invest in China, and actively serve as a bridge to contribute to the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties.

On the same day, Han met with Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, Elon Musk, and welcomed US companies including Tesla to seize opportunities and share the fruits of China's development, and make new and greater contributions to closer economic and trade ties between China and the United States.

The reported attendance of Vice President Han Zheng will mark the first time a senior Chinese leader has attended a new U.S. president’s swearing-in.

Han -- who is set to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump later on Monday -- met with Musk and other American business representatives on Sunday, Xinhua said.

In recent months, he has said he would add tariffs of at least 10 per cent on top of what is already imposed on Chinese goods, a move that would hurt China at a time when its economy is struggling

Han made the remarks during a meeting with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Han is in Washington, D.C. to attend the inauguration ceremony of Trump on Monday as Xi's special representative at the invitation of the U.S. side.

CHINESE Vice-President Han Zheng met billionaire Elon Musk and other US business figures, underscoring Beijing’s efforts to set a positive tone in ties with the US before president-elect Donald Trump returns to office.

Live updates ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. Follow the latest news as the incoming president attends events ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony.

China is facing a repeat of the tensions and uncertainty from the first presidency of Donald Trump, only with a weaker economy that’s even more reliant on exports than it was during the first trade war with the US.