Bill Gates Joins List Of US CEOs Visiting China, Holds Meeting with President Xi Jinping. In Pics

Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China. Gates' visit to China follows a series of visits by prominent US CEOs.

IN PICs | Bill Gates Joins List US Biz Leaders Visiting China, Holds Meeting with President Xi Jinping

This was Bill Gates' first visit to China since 2019. Xi said he was happy to see Gates, who he called an 'old friend'. (Image: Twitter/Hua Chunyin)

Xi told Gates that the foundation of Sino-US relations lies in the people. Gates told Xi he was 'very honoured' to meet the Chinese president. (Image: Twitter/Gates Foundation)

Earlier this Month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk went on a quiet China visit. As per reports, the billionaire met with top officials, praised the country’s technology development and visited Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai. (Image: Twitter/Elon Musk)

In March, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China even as the iPhone maker continues its efforts to move its production out of the country. During this trip, the Apple CEO also joined China's famous social media platform. Cook also made an appearance at an Apple store in Beijing. (Image: Weibo/Tim Cook)

Patrick Gelsinger from Intel, Mary Barra from General Motors, Stephen Schwarzman from Blackstone, and Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan also recent paid visits to China (Image: Getty)

Reports said Western CEOs and their companies have been cautious in sharing information about their trips to China due to heightened political and trade tensions between the US and China, which are currently at their lowest point in decades. (Image: Getty)

Bill Gates' meeting comes ahead of an upcoming visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday amid strained relations between the two countries. (Image: Getty)