WASHINGTON, D.C.: While Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, he is sending Vice President Han Zheng as his special representative.

China's foreign ministry announced that President Xi Jinping will not attend Donald Trump's inauguration, over a month after Trump extended the invitation. This breaks tradition, as no head of state has officially visited the U.S. for a presidential inauguration before.

A ministry spokesperson stated, "We are ready to work with the new U.S. government to improve dialogue, manage differences, expand cooperation, and build stable and healthy relations between China and the U.S."

Other foreign leaders, such as Argentina's President Javier Milei and Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni, have also mentioned being invited. The presidents of Ecuador and Paraguay have confirmed plans to attend.

Sun Yun, an expert on China at the Stimson Center, said this shows China is willing to adjust its usual protocols to please Trump. "It signals China's willingness to negotiate and seek agreements," she explained.

However, Danny Russel from the Asia Society Policy Institute believes China is hedging by sending Vice President Han Zheng instead of Xi. "There's no chance Xi would let himself be a background figure at Trump's big event. Sending Han avoids offending Trump while keeping Xi out of the spotlight," Russel said. He added that Han's role will be more symbolic than meaningful.

This decision comes amid growing U.S.-China tensions. Some of Trump's Cabinet nominees, such as Senator Marco Rubio, are vocal critics of China. During his confirmation hearing as Secretary of State, Rubio described China as the "most dangerous adversary" the U.S. has faced.

China generally prefers leader-level meetings to shape its relationship with other nations, while Trump favors direct talks with world leaders. Xi has attended state visits and summits in the past but skipped major events like King Charles III's coronation and Nelson Mandela's memorial, sending representatives instead. When Trump invited Xi in December, many assumed he was unlikely to attend.