The Chinese president meets international executives amid the decline in investments

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with heads of international companies in Beijing yesterday, as part of the government’s endeavor to attract foreign companies whose investments may contribute to the advancement of the struggling Chinese economy and help protect it from escalating geopolitical tension.

Beijing is making unremitting efforts to calm the fears that the trade war with US President Donald Trump will affect greater growth in the second largest economy in the world, which came to his recovery after the pandemic without expectations.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all foreign companies that have participated in the development of China,” Xi told business leaders, including the heads of the “Astrazenica” companies, “FedEx”, “Aramco” Saudi and “Standard Charterd”.

He added, “Foreign companies contribute to a third of China’s imports and exports, a quarter of the added industrial value and seven tax revenues, providing more than 30 million job opportunities.”

The Chinese president affirmed that his country is committed to a firm commitment to pay the wheel of reform and openness, and that “its doors will be opened more and more.”

He considered that “pluralism and free exchange face extreme challenges,” warning that “the unilateral and protectionist approach is increasing.”

Two sources familiar with the details of the meeting stated that about 40 executive officials participated in the meeting, while one of the exporters reported that most of them represent the pharmaceutical sector.

The pace of meetings between foreign executives and senior Chinese officials increased during the past month, after official data showed a sharp decrease in foreign direct investment in local currency by 27.1% in 2024.

On the other hand, the Chinese President in Beijing received the temporary President of Bangladesh, Mohamed Younis, according to official media.

This visit comes at a time when Dhaka is looking for new friendships in light of her tense relations with New Delhi.

Younis was temporarily assumed the presidency of Bangladesh last August after the former Prime Minister Sheikha Hasina, who fled to New Delhi, was overthrown after an uprising led by the students.