For Donald Trump’s inauguration, China is sending Vice President Han Zheng. This comes after the incoming US president invited Xi Jinping to attend the January 20 event — a break from tradition

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Vice President Han Zheng will attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, Chinese state news agencies said on Friday, with Beijing ready to enhance dialogue with the new U.S. administration.

China's leader Xi Jinping is sending a top envoy to attend President-elect Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Beijing confirmed. Why it matters: The "unprecedented" deployment of Xi's special representative,

Trump advisor Elon Musk has longstanding business ties in China.

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.

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 has used the visit to meet with members of the American business community, including Tesla CEO and close Trump associate Elon Musk, according to Chinese state agency Xinhua. Musk is widely thought to be seen by Beijing as more sympathetic to its interests than others in Trump’s orbit.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng has regularly traveled abroad to represent Xi Jinping at international events.

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.

Han Zheng will represent China at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on Jan 20, marking an unprecedented senior-level attendance from Beijing.

Han Zheng, the vice president of the People's Republic of China, is in Washington for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.