Apple CEO Tim Cook goes to the “Senior Chinese Leader Event” held by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the United States-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023.
Carlos Barria|AFP|Getty Images
Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla chief Elon Musk and Blackstone’s Steve Schwarzman were amongst the visitors Wednesday night at a gala reception and supper in San Francisco for checking out Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the supper followed Xi’s daylong top with President Joe Biden, which Biden called “some of the most constructive and productive discussions we’ve had.”
The supper with Xi was a hot ticket for CEOs of America’s most popular business, a possibility to rub elbows with high-ranking federal government ministers of a nation that did almost $760 billion worth of trade with the United States in 2015.
Blackstone Group CEO and Co-Founder Steve Schwarzman goes to the “Senior Chinese Leader Event” held by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the United States-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023.
Carlos Barria|AFP|Getty Images
On the visitor list: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Boeing CEO Stan Deal, FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam, Visa chief Ryan McIn erney, Bridgewater Associates’ Ray Dalio, Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, Mastercard chair Merit Janow, and BlackRock‘s Larry Fink.
The Biden administration was represented by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, and Kurt Campbell, a top White House China consultant. San Francisco Mayor London Breed likewise had an area at the head table.
According to the location cards, Cook was seated beside Chinese Minister of Commerce WangWentao Event organizers stated Musk participated in the VIP reception, however did not remain for the supper.
The primary concern for us is, are we foes or partners?
Xi Jinping
President of China
In remarks before the meal, Raimondo stressed just how much chance stays in the U.S.-China financial relationship.
“All of you here this evening remain keenly interested to do business in China, and to find ways to advance our bilateral economic relationship,” Raimondo stated. “I know that, because half of you have come to see me to tell me that.”
Partners or foes?
Xi provided the keynote address, his most extensive remarks up until now in his U.S. see. He utilized the speech to provide a view of the U.S.-China relationship that varies substantially from Biden’s.
China’s President Xi Jinping speaks at the “Senior Chinese Leader Event” held by the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the United States-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023.
Carlos Barria|AFP|Getty Images
“The number one question for us is, are we adversaries or partners?” Xi asked.
“If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge, and a pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policymaking, misguided actions and unwanted results,” stated Xi.
It was not lost on the space that Biden has actually explained China in each of those terms in the past.
Instead of foes, Xi stressed that China desires a collaboration with the United States, a “win-win” relationship.
Giant panda Bei Bei consumes bamboo at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on November 14, 2019.
Jim Watson/ AFP|Getty Images
As part of his total outreach message, Xi revealed that China will be sending out pandas to the San Diego Zoo, after 3 of the bears were just recently gone back to China from Washington’s Smithsonian National Zoo.
“Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American people,” he stated.
“We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians, so as to deepen friendly ties between our two peoples.”
Correction: Steve Schwarzman is withBlackstone A previous variation of this story misstated his business.
