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.

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.

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.

BEIJING: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with tech tycoon Elon Musk and urged US firms to "seize the opportunity" to deepen economic ties with China, Beijing's state media said on Monday (Jan 20).

By bno - Taipei Bureau As tensions between the United States and China continue to simmer over trade and technology, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng’s visit to Washington has sparked significant dialogue between both nations.

It’s Day One of the new Trump Administration. As the new president takes the oath of office in the Capitol rotunda shortly after midday, one person will likely be pleased with how things are going so far: Xi Jinping, president of China. That’s for three reasons:

China’s vice president held meetings with the U.S. vice president-elect and U.S. business leaders, including Elon Musk, in Washington on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, as the two major powers tackle ongoing tensions over trade and technology.