Chinese leader Xi Jinping sent Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration, an official whose seniority signals Beijing is ready to engage. After arriving in the U.S., Han wasted no time in doing just that.

(250120) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Han Zheng, China's vice president, met with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and Tesla Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk in the United States. Han is on a visit to the U.S. to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.