When Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, a new chapter of geopolitical uncertainty will be written, potentially ushering in an intensified rivalry between the US and China under his "America First" policy.

China is sending Vice-President Han Zheng to US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday - the first time a senior Chinese leader will witness a US president being sworn in.

Han's attendance marks a first for the two countries. Foreign heads of state usually do not attend US presidential inaugurations.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the inauguration after winning last year's presidential election. Xi has sent Han in his place. Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

The vice president-elect and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met on Sunday ahead of Trump's second inauguration.

China’s vice president held meetings with the U.S. vice president-elect and U.S. business leaders, including Elon Musk, in Washington on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, as the two major powers tackle ongoing tensions over trade and technology.

Beijing is taking a two-pronged approach to the incoming president: trying to sweeten up Trump while also signaling it is ready to fight efforts to constrain it.

Here is a look at the foreign leaders who are coming to Washington for the 60th inauguration: Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first foreign leader whose invitation to the inauguration became public in December. Xi will not attend but is sending Vice President Han Zheng.

By Joe Cash, Josh Arslan, Casey Hall and Liz Lee BEIJING (Reuters) -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.

Chinese people on the streets of Beijing said Monday they were keeping expectations low ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump, as his second White House stint could push China-US ties into a

U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday, one day before he and President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office.