Bill Gates In China: Emphasis on US-China cooperation, meeting Bill Gates, Jinping said – very happy to see you

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates amid strained relations between the United States and China that our two countries can cooperate to benefit. State broadcaster CCTV showed Xi saying he was happy to see Gates, whom he described as an “old friend” after three years without meeting during the pandemic. Xi said that I believe that the foundation of China-US relations is the people. Under the current world situation, we can carry out various activities that can benefit both our countries and the people here and the entire human race.

Xi gave no details but stressed the potential benefits of cooperation hampered by disputes over human rights, Taiwan, security and technology. Gates told Xi that he was honored to meet Xi. The visits by prominent foreign businessmen have coincided with efforts by the ruling Communist Party to revive investor interest in China’s slowing economy. Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China in March. Despite his upbeat comments, Xi in March accused Washington of trying to stifle China’s growth by banning access to US microchips and other technology.

Tensions between the US and China have risen in recent years, but only recently have the two sides held talks on trade and other issues. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive in China on Sunday on a two-day visit. According to US officials, he will be the first Secretary of State to visit China since 2018 and is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Qin Gang and possibly Chinese President Xi Jinping.