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.

(250120) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

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.