Chinese VP Han Zheng Met with J.D. Vance, and Elon Musk- Official Readouts
Chinese Foreign Ministry Responds to Musk's Request to Operate X in Chinese Market
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng is visiting the US for Trump's inauguration. Han is the highest-ranking Chinese official ever to show up at a U.S. presidential inauguration (usually it's just the Chinese ambassador). This comes after Xi's call with Trump on Jan. 17, where they discussed trade and Taiwan issues.
Before the main event, Han met with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, representatives from the US-China Business Council, and Elon Musk. For today's episode, I bring you the Chinese readout of these two important meetings.
During the talk with Vance, both sides acknowledged the importance of economic and trade relations between China and the U.S., with both sides expressing willingness to strengthen dialogue despite existing differences.
Who is Han Zheng?
Han Zheng is one of China's top leaders and currently serves as the Vice President of China. He is also a member of the CPC Central Foreign Affairs Commission, which upgraded from a “working group” to a “commission” in 2018. Bringing more staffing and substantive authority to the body, reflecting the practical needs of China's expanding diplomatic operations.
Han began his political career at the grassroots level, spending much of his early years in local leadership roles. Before being appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Communist Youth League Shanghai Municipal Committee in 1990, he served as the Party Secretary of a rubber plant in Shanghai.
In 2003, he was elected as the mayor of Shanghai. According to The China Times, Han “rose to prominence in politics due to urban renewal projects and the ‘Xintiandi' project and became the youngest mayor in Shanghai's history since the founding of the People's Republic of China over 50 years ago.” After 15 years of administrating Shanghai, the window of Chinese reform and opening up, Han was appointed as the vice Premier, focusing on external works in 2018.
In 2003, Han was elected Mayor of Shanghai. According to The China Times, Han "rose to prominence in politics due to urban renewal projects and the 'Xintiandi' project," becoming the youngest mayor in Shanghai's history since the founding of the PRC over 50 years ago. After 15 years of overseeing Shanghai—the window for China’s reform and opening-up policies—Han was appointed Vice Premier in 2018, where he focused on external affairs.
During his tenure as Vice Premier, Han led several key coordination bodies under the State Council, including those overseeing Belt and Road Construction, HK and Macau Affairs, and the Great Bay Area.
In 2023, he took the position of Vice President, succeeding Wang Qishan—a veteran diplomat and former anti-corruption chief who led China's high-profile discipline inspection campaigns. Since assuming office, Han has focused primarily on high-level diplomacy and economic diplomacy. As President Xi's Special Representative, he attended King Charles III and Queen Camilla's coronation in 2023. Jan.11, Han met with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in Beijing after the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue.
Han Zheng meets with U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance
On January 19, Han Zheng, Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and Vice President of China, met with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington.
Han Zheng first conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to President-elect Trump and congratulated Vance on his election. Han stated that President Xi recently held an important phone conversation with President-elect Trump, reaching several key consensuses on the future development of China-U.S. relations. China is willing to work with the U.S. to maintain the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, implement the important consensuses reached between President Xi and President-elect Trump, and promote stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
Han pointed out that both China and the U.S. are great nations with great peoples, and both are currently working to achieve their respective development goals and dreams. As long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, they can achieve mutual success, benefit both countries, and make important contributions to world peace and development. Economic and trade relations are important issues of mutual concern, and despite differences and frictions between China and the U.S., the two countries share enormous common interests and space for cooperation, on which both sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation.
Vance asked Han to convey President-elect Trump's sincere greetings to President Xi, noting that President-elect Trump recently had a good communication with President Xi on important issues in bilateral relations. Economic and trade relations are important to both countries. China plays an increasingly important role in international affairs, and the U.S. wishes to develop a lasting and fruitful relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability.
Seems trade talks are to resume, at least a good sign that both sides are willing to talk first. It’s less likely that Trump will immediately post tariffs after the inauguration.
Han Zheng separately meets with representatives of U.S. business community and Tesla CEO Musk
On January 19, 2025, Han Zheng, Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and Vice President of China, met in Washington with representatives from the business community, including the US-China Business Council and the American Chamber of Commerce.
Han Zheng noted that President Xi recently held an important phone conversation with President-elect Trump, reaching significant consensus on the development of China-US relations. China and the US share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. A good start and stable development of China-US relations align with the common welfare of both peoples and international expectations. The US business community has consistently been a core force supporting China-US relations and has been a participant, witness, contributor, and beneficiary of China-US economic cooperation and China's reform and opening up. China will unswervingly advance reform and opening up and continue to improve the business environment. He hoped US businesses would continue to invest and establish roots in China, actively serving as a bridge to make greater contributions to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations.
US business representatives expressed excitement about the positive signals sent by the recent phone call between President-elect Trump and President Xi. As the world's two largest economies with the most dynamic and technologically advanced systems, the US and China should engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and find constructive and stable ways to coexist. The US business community is optimistic about China's economic prospects and development opportunities, supporting strengthened dialogue and communication between the US and China to advance bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
On the same day, Han Zheng met with Tesla CEO Musk, welcoming US companies including Tesla to seize opportunities, share in China's development achievements, and make new and greater contributions to promoting China-US economic and trade relations.
Musk expressed Tesla's willingness to deepen investment and cooperation in China and play an active role in promoting US-China economic and trade exchanges.
The same day, Elon Musk also called Chinese authorities to allow X to operate in China.
Today, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded:
中国政府依法管理互联网，只要遵守中国的法律法规，提供安全可靠的产品和服务，我们欢迎各国的互联网企业来中国发展。
The Chinese government manages the internet according to law. We welcome internet companies from all countries to develop in China, as long as they comply with Chinese laws and regulations and provide safe and reliable products and services.