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.

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

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.

Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng has held talks with the US vice-president-elect J.D. Vance and tech billionaire Elon Musk at separate meetings in Washington ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a "long and fruitful" relationship.

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.

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, left, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in ...

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

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.

HONG KONG -- U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the White House has raised questions about how much influence Elon Musk -- his largest campaign donor and the world's richest person -- might wield, especially over China policy.

The crowded scene in the Capitol Rotunda on Inauguration Day featured four of the world's five wealthiest men, five U.S. presidents, influential sporting figures and two foreign leaders with prime seats on the dais.

Analysts say that while Beijing seeks more engagement with the Trump administration, the new US government’s China policy remains unclear