In brief
The anticipation surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January has intensified, particularly regarding international attendance. Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly unlikely to accept an invitation to the event, even though China's ambassador to the US and potentially other officials from Beijing are expected to be present. This unusual invite signals Trump's effort to foster dialogue with both allies and rivals, as explained by his spokeswoman.
While Trump has previously expressed admiration for Xi, he has taken a strong stance against China, pledging to increase tariffs on Chinese imports in his administration. His cabinet members, including Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, are known critics of the Chinese regime. Tensions have escalated, particularly after US intelligence agencies alleged that China was behind significant hacking incidents targeting US telecom companies.In the lead-up to his inauguration, Trump has been meeting with various world leaders and fostering relationships internationally. Historically, foreign leaders have not attended US presidential inaugurations, making Xi's expected absence notable. Other foreign leaders have reportedly also been invited, and the inauguration is scheduled for January 20th in Washington DC. The BBC has reached out for comments from both Chinese officials and Trump’s transition team regarding the significance of this invitation.
