(May 14): Xi Jinping signalled China is moving towards greater openness, striking an upbeat note during his meeting with US business leaders accompanying Donald Trump as the two presidents wrapped up morning talks that featured more divisive issues like trade and Taiwan.
“American enterprises are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, a process from which both sides have benefitted,” Xi told more than 10 business representatives gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. “China’s door to the outside world will only open wider.”
Footage released by the state broadcaster showed executives including Tesla Inc’s Elon Musk, Apple Inc’s Tim Cook, Boeing Co’s Kelly Ortberg and Nvidia Corp’s Jensen Huang — who joined the trip as a last-minute addition — escorted by staff into the meeting room.
The message sent by Xi reiterated a pledge frequently delivered by senior Chinese officials on the world stage over the years. It also appeared to be a response to Trump’s appeal to Xi “to ‘open up’ China,” which he’d promised to make as his first request on behalf of the business leaders accompanying him to Beijing.
In his remarks on Thursday, Xi added that he believes US firms will have even broader prospects in China, CCTV reported.
The American executives told Xi that they “highly value” the Chinese market and hope to further strengthen cooperation and cultivate their business presence there, according to CCTV.
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Trade barriers and market access have been longstanding issues between the world’s two biggest economies, especially after China joined the World Trade Organization with America’s backing more than two decades ago.
Trump’s trip was the first state visit by a sitting US president to China in nine years.
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In his opening remarks to Xi during their meeting on Thursday morning, Trump brought up the business delegation, telling the Chinese president the executives will “pay respects to you and to China” and said “they look forward to trade and doing business”.
As the leaders’ talks got underway, some of the US executives gave brief remarks to reporters.
Musk said he wants to accomplish “many good things” during his visit and that the meetings were “wonderful”. Apple’s Cook gave a thumbs-up when asked how the talks went, while Huang said “Xi and President Trump were incredible”.
Trump is eager to secure business deals from China in sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to aerospace, including a potential historic order of Boeing jets.
The US business delegation not only includes companies with significant investments and market share in China, but also firms like Micron Technology Inc, which saw some of its products banned from critical infrastructure by Beijing after failing a cybersecurity review.
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