China's president rejects Trump's inauguration invite

Xi Jinping has turned down the invitation that President-Elect Donald Trump has sent him. 

The Washington Examiner reports that Xi did so on Friday.

Trump, as we will see, had invited Xi to attend his upcoming inauguration, which will take place on Jan. 20, 2025.

This is the day that Trump will officially be sworn in as the next president of the United States.

Trump's invitation

The Hill reports that Karoline Leavitt is the one who revealed that Trump had extended in inauguration invitation to Xi. Leavitt was a major part of Trump's 2024 campaign, and she will be the Trump administration's White House press secretary.

Per the outlet:

President-elect Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month in Washington, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday. Karoline Leavitt, who will serve as White House press secretary, said on “Fox & Friends” that Trump extended the invitation to the Chinese leader and adversary and that it was “to be determined” whether Xi would attend.

Leavitt went on to suggest that this is Trump's way of trying to create a good relationship between the United States and China.

"This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors, too," she said.

After this was revealed, there was much speculation about whether Xi would accept or decline the invitation. We now know the answer.

It is a "no"

CBS News reported Friday morning that Xi officially turned down Trump's inauguration invitation.

The outlet writes:

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to travel to Washington next month as an inauguration guest of President-elect Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the planning.

It is not immediately clear why it is that Xi turned Trump's invitation down. Perhaps Xi did not like the way Trump went about the situation.

CBS explains:

The invitation to Xi, which was conveyed outside of formal diplomatic channels, took both Beijing and U.S. allies by surprise. Chinese officials who are accustomed to strict protocol and keenly aware of power dynamics in the US-China relationship were left wondering about Mr Trump's intent.

Whatever the case may be, Xi will not be attending the inauguration. Other Chinese officials, though, are expected to attend. CBS reports, "China's ambassador to the U.S. and his spouse are expected to attend the Jan. 20 event, as is standard practice. Sources told CBS News that additional officials from Beijing may join them."