Trump invites Xi and other world leaders to inauguration By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders to his inauguration next month in Washington, Trump’s transition spokesman said on Thursday.

Asked if Xi had responded, Carolyn Leavitt told Fox News in an interview to be determined. She did not name the other world leaders who were also invited.

“This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with the leaders of countries that are not only our allies, but also our adversaries and our competitors,” she added. “He is willing to talk to anyone and will always put America’s interests first.”

The Kremlin specifically said on Thursday that it had not received an invitation to attend the January 20 inauguration.

The offer for Xi to attend Trump’s inauguration was extended in early November, shortly after the Nov. 5 presidential election, according to CBS News, which first reported the invitation on Wednesday.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Wednesday.