The US and China have been gradually resuming engagements after relations between the two economic superpowers sank to the lowest in years, clashing over trade policies, the future of democratically ruled Taiwan and territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Some 20 firms were invited to participate in Wednesday’s gathering, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter, and the meeting ran for around 90 minutes, one of the sources said.
Stephen Schwarzman, co-founder and CEO of private equity firm Blackstone, Raj Subramaniam, head of American delivery giant FedEx, and Cristiano Amon, the boss of chips manufacturer Qualcomm were among those who attended the meeting.
The two sources had no immediate comment on what was discussed at the meeting, which was organised by the National Committee on US-China Relations, the US-China Business Council and the Asia Society think tank.
The three organisations did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the meeting.
The gathering took place in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People, which is reserved for important functions. Attendees sat in a square formation around a large red, orange and green floral installation, a video released by state media showed.
The audience with Xi follows Chinese Premier Li Qiang not meeting visiting foreign CEOs at the China Development Forum in Beijing on Mar 24-25, which prompted concerns over transparency in the world’s second-largest economy.
The chance to exchange views with Beijing’s second-ranking leader had become a key element of the summit in previous years.
Wednesday’s meeting followed on from a dinner in November with US executives in San Francisco, where Xi received a standing ovation.
Source: CNA
