In mid-December, CBS News reported, citing several sources, that Trump had extended an invitation to Xi to attend his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Later, the broadcaster said that Xi will not attend the ceremony and that in his stead, the Chinese ambassador to the United States and his wife are expected to attend the event.
Xi may send to the inauguration Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi, one of the people said, adding that Beijing is consulting with Trump's transition team on the matter.
Another source said that the Trump team would rather welcome Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Xi's alleged right-hand man.
Attendance by any of the aforementioned officials would reportedly be unprecedented, as never have any Chinese officials apart from the ambassador attended the inauguration of a US leader.
Another person familiar with the views inside the transition team told the newspaper that there are concerns that Trump would be displeased by the attendance of someone of Wang's and Cai's level, as the initial invitation was extended to the Chinese leader himself.
"The Chinese need to send the appropriate level of official to start the relationship off on the right foot," the person said.
Moreover, several people said that whoever comes to Washington for the January 20 event is likely to hold talks with the new Trump administration.