Day after reports of Donald Trump reportedly inviting Chinese President to his January 20 inauguration ceremony, Xi Jinping on Thursday said that is willing to work with the United States to explore the “right paths” for the two countries to coexist in a “new era”, state media Xinhua reported.
“The interests of the two countries were deeply intertwined, and the space for cooperation between them was “infinitely vast”, Xi said in a letter to the US-China Business Council.
According to a report by CBS News, Trump extended the invitation in early November, days after his Nov 5 election, however it was not clear whether Jinping has accepted the invitation.
Xi further added that the Economic and trade relations were key parts of bilateral ties, and Beijing was ready to maintain communication and expand cooperation with Washington.
If Jinping accepts the invitation, he would become the first Chinese leader to attend the inauguration ceremony of a US president. According to State Department records, the last time a foreign head of state attended such a ceremony was in 1874. Typically, foreign dignitaries and diplomats represent their nations at the event.
Reports suggest that Donald Trump plans to host several world leaders at the Capitol on the day of his inauguration. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time ally of Trump, is “still considering” whether to attend, according to CBS.
A spokesperson for Trump’s team stated that international leaders are eager to engage with the incoming president.
“World leaders are lining up to meet with President Trump because they know he will soon return to power and restore peace through American strength around the globe,” said Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already hosted Trump at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Prince William. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida to discuss tariffs.
During his campaign, Trump remarked on his “strong relationship with Chinese leader Xi.” However, his appointment of China hawks to key cabinet positions has raised concerns about the trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies. Regarding Taiwan, Trump pledged to impose tariffs of “150 to 200 per cent” if Beijing were to invade the island nation.
Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that Chinese leaders and policymakers are considering allowing the Yuan to weaken in response to Trump’s tariff threats in the new year.
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