Xi Jinping Meets with US Executives to Boost Economic Ties Amid Foreign Investment Drop

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with over a dozen US CEOs and academics to boost economic ties and confidence in China's economy. Attendees included heads of Qualcomm, FedEx, and Blackstone Group.

• The meeting comes after an annual government forum attended by over 100 global CEOs and heads of organizations like the IMF and World Bank.

• Foreign investment in China dropped nearly 20% in early 2023, underscoring weak confidence among investors. Overall foreign direct investment fell 8% in 2022.

• 57% of US firms lack confidence China will further open its markets. Beijing has rolled out measures to attract investment and expand market access.

• China faces economic headwinds like a real estate downturn, shrinking population, debt issues, and a shift towards ideological objectives that have unsettled the private sector.