The town was buzzing as top guns like Tim Cook from Apple, Elon Musk of Tesla, and Steve Schwarzman from BlackRock were spotted at a grand dinner in San Francisco. It was all in honor of the visit by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
Exclusive Gala Hosted by U.S.-China Business Council
This posh dinner was organized by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. It came right after Xi Jinping’s sit-down with President Joe Biden, which both leaders called super constructive and productive.
Who Was on the Guest List?
The guest list read like a who’s who of corporate America: Marc Benioff from Salesforce, Stan Deal from Boeing, Raj Subramaniam from FedEx, Ryan McInerney from Visa, Ray Dalio from Bridgewater Associates, Albert Bourla from Pfizer, Merit Janow from Mastercard, and Larry Fink from BlackRock.
Government and VIPs in Attendance
Representing Team Biden were big shots like Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, and Kurt Campbell, a top China advisor at the White House. Even San Francisco Mayor London Breed snagged a seat at the VIP table.
Seating Arrangements and Speeches
Tim Cook found himself beside Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao for the dinner. But Elon Musk showed up for the pre-dinner VIP shindig, though he didn’t stick around for the feast.
Xi Jinping’s Key Message
In his keynote, Xi Jinping raised a key question: Are China and the U.S. pals or rivals? He stressed the importance of not seeing each other as just competition or threats, calling for a more cooperative relationship.
Contrasting Views: Xi vs. Biden
Xi’s take on the U.S.-China dynamic was different from Biden’s. While Biden has described China as a competitor, geopolitical challenge, and even a threat, Xi Jinping wanted to highlight a different approach—a partnership that benefits both sides.
Pandas and Friendly Gestures
Xi Jinping took a light-hearted turn, announcing China’s plans to send pandas to the San Diego Zoo. According to him, pandas are symbols of friendship between China and the U.S. He hoped this move would deepen the ties between both nations.
Partnership Over Competition
Xi Jinping wrapped up by emphasizing China’s readiness to partner up, not square off, with the United States. He emphasized a “win-win” scenario and extended an olive branch for a collaborative relationship.
Friendship and Conservation
As part of China’s goodwill gesture, Xi pledged to continue collaborating with the U.S. on panda conservation. This act, he hoped, would further cement the friendship between the Chinese and American people.
So, amid the glamour and important discussions, it seems like Xi Jinping’s message was all about building bridges and fostering a cooperative bond between two global giants.