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2015-09-24 07:53:18
Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised to strengthen protections on
intellectual property and clear obstacles to investment in China, at a meeting
with US technology leaders.
Speaking in Seattle he said: "Without reform, there will be no driving force;
without opening up, there will be no progress."
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among those attending.
US companies are eager to tap into China's massive market of consumers.
Mr Xi addressed recent China's recent economic troubles, and said the
government was taking steps to address it.
However he said, "I believe in the long run that the fundamentals of the
Chinese economy are good."
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Mr Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, visited Microsoft's campus on
Wednesday accompanied by Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella (in
background)
At the scene: Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent
Oh to have been a fly on the wall when President Xi sat down with Apple's Tim
Cook, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella of Microsoft and other US technology
leaders. We are told the conversation covered regulation and clean energy - but
surely there must have been something juicier?
The truth is that China and the tech giants both need and fear each other. The
technology firms know it is where their future profits should come from - Apple
now makes about a quarter of its revenue from China, while Amazon despite years
of investment is still struggling to make an impact. For China, demand for
American technology products is what keeps millions in manufacturing jobs.
But while both China and the US appear committed to expanding their technology
relationship, their very different views on internet freedom mean progress will
be difficult.
But at a time when demand for technology products is fragile, China still looks
like a huge opportunity for growth. That is why the tech tycoons will have
tried their best to charm their visitor.
Mr Xi stressed that reaching agreements to ensure continued robust
international trade was a top priority.
US officials have said the two counties have made progress in negotiating a new
trade agreement, but key issues remain unresolved.
Former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson moderated a closed-door discussion
with more than 30 business leaders before Mr Xi's public remarks.
Image copyright AP
Image caption Mr Xi met with Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg on
Microsoft's campus
Representatives from Twitter, Facebook and Google were notably missing from the
event. China blocks those companies' websites.
However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Mr Bezos and Mr Xi later on
Wednesday as they toured Microsoft's corporate campus in suburban Seattle.
Mr Xi travels to Washington DC on Thursday to meet US President Barack Obama.