China’s president turns on charm with global business leaders, vowing ‘opportunities’ as nation opens its doors wider

Xi Jinping speaks directly to heavyweight business entrepreneurs and invites feedback on economic development

Comments to international business community come amid concerns that US-China relations could remain rocky under US President-elect Joe Biden

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Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke this week with the Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management advisory board headed by Apple CEO Tim Cook, seen here at last year’s China Development forum in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:20pm, 4 Dec 2020Updated: 11:11pm, 4 Dec 2020

Chinese President Xi Jinping has undertaken a new charm offensive aimed at global business leaders, in a push to instil confidence and cultivate a sense of greater certainty amid a fast-changing international environment.

In his address to Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management advisory board headed by Apple CEO Tim Cook, the Chinese leader explained the country’s self-reliance strategy of dual circulation, vowed to open the door wider to the world, and also welcomed feedback on economic development.

“China will integrate itself into the global market more actively to share development opportunities and continue to contribute to the global economic recovery,” he was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency as saying on Thursday.

The world’s second-largest economy is looking to strengthen international exchanges and seek cooperation in sectors pertaining to education, scientific advancements and technology. Meanwhile, “all countries should enhance solidarity and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism to counter challenges,” he said via a video link.

The comments serve as the nation’s latest attempt to win the hearts of the international business community, some members of which have pulled out of China amid rising costs and US tariffs. Many other businesses are taking a wait-and-see approach, with concerns that US-China relations could remain rocky under the incoming presidential administration of Joe Biden.