Xi Jinping dined with Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and Steve Schwarzman, among other U.S. CEOs.

• On Wednesday night, in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a reception and dinner, and among the guests were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla chief Elon Musk, and Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman.
• Wang Wentao sat next to Cook according to the place cards.
• After a daylong summit with President Joe Biden, Xi had a productive dinner.

On Wednesday night, in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a gala reception and dinner, and was joined by CEO Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and Steve Schwarzman.

The dinner, hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, took place after Xi's daylong summit with President Joe Biden, which Biden described as "some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had."

The dinner with Xi attracted CEOs of America's top companies, offering an opportunity to network with high-ranking government officials of a country that traded nearly $760 billion with the US last year.

The guest list includes CEOs Marc Benioff, Stan Deal, and Raj Subramaniam, as well as chief Ryan McInerney, Bridgewater Associates' Ray Dalio, chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, chair Merit Janow, and Larry Fink.

Gina Raimondo, Nicholas Burns, Kurt Campbell, and London Breed represented the Biden administration at the summit.

Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, sat next to Cook at the event, while Musk attended the VIP reception but did not stay for the dinner.

During the meal, Raimondo highlighted the vast potential for growth in the U.S.-China economic partnership.

Raimondo stated that all attendees this evening are highly interested in conducting business in China and enhancing their bilateral economic relationship. He added that he knows this because half of them came to him to express their interest.

Partners or adversaries?

During his U.S. visit, Xi gave a keynote address, which was his most extensive remarks yet. In his speech, he presented a different perspective on the U.S.-China relationship compared to Biden's view.

Xi inquired, "Our top concern is whether we are adversaries or partners."

Xi stated that viewing the other side as a primary competitor, the most significant geopolitical challenge, and a pacing threat would result in misinformed policymaking, misguided actions, and unwanted outcomes.

In the past, Biden has characterized China as both a rival and a partner.

Xi highlighted that China seeks a cooperative relationship with the United States, focusing on mutual benefits.

Xi declared that China will send pandas to the San Diego Zoo, following the return of three bears from the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington.

"Between the Chinese and American people, pandas have long served as ambassadors of friendship," he stated.

We are prepared to continue our collaboration with the United States on panda conservation and strive to fulfill the desires of the Californians, in order to strengthen the bond between our two nations.

Blackstone is the company that Steve Schwarzman is associated with.