In Beijing, China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng reassured foreign corporate leaders of the country’s promising business landscape during meetings with top executives from Apple, Pfizer, Mastercard, Cargill, and other major companies. Additionally, He engaged with representatives from Eli Lilly, Medtronic, and Corning, as stated by the commerce ministry.
He expressed China’s commitment to enhancing the business environment and attracting increased investment from multinational corporations, emphasizing the nation’s resilient and dynamic economy. While the meeting location was not disclosed, many foreign CEOs are attending a business forum in Beijing, some of whom are expected to meet with President Xi Jinping.
Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and U.S. tariff challenges, Beijing is actively seeking foreign investment to stimulate domestic consumption in the face of economic slowdown. At the China Development Forum, Premier Li Qiang advocated for open markets to address global instability and pledged proactive macroeconomic policies.
During the forum, U.S. Senator Steve Daines and executives from American companies engaged with Premier Li to discuss the business climate in China. Despite a slight decrease in American CEO attendance compared to the previous year, there remains optimism among some business leaders about investing and operating in China. Notably, Wendell Weeks, CEO of Corning, expressed confidence in China’s long-term development.
While closely monitoring the impact of U.S. tariffs, companies like Amway are focusing on the future potential of the Chinese market. CEO Michael Nelson affirmed the company’s commitment to China’s market growth and development, as reported by the state-backed Global Times.
(Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue and Sonali Paul)
