Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the American business community in Beijing on Wednesday, state media reported, as China woos foreign investors to avoid an economic downturn.

“President Xi Jinping met this morning (…) with representatives of the American business community at the Palace of the People,” Chinese state television CCTV reported, without immediately providing further details.

The channel did not specify the names of the participants.

This meeting took place a day after the closing of an important economic forum in Beijing, which was attended by major foreign patrons, including Apple CEO Tim Cook.

China, faced with a slowing economy and geopolitical tensions, is struggling to reassure foreign investors about the country’s growth prospects.

Especially since the fears of the business environment have increased in recent months after several searches and interrogations directed against American consulting companies, in the context of the fierce rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

Premier Li Qiang has set a target for China’s GDP growth of “about 5%” this year.

Such a pace would be the dream of many developed countries, but for China it is still far from the stunning growth that has brought it to the heights of the world economy in recent decades. (Agerpress)