Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet with influential entrepreneurs, including Tencent’s Ma and DeepSeek’s head, in a symposium that could reassure global investors about the country’s economic downturn. The gathering comes amid concerns of another crackdown on private companies, which have seen their stocks rise in anticipation of Xi’s support.
Analysts warn that sentiment will worsen if Xi emphasizes that private companies operate under state guidance. However, experts at Trivium China say that Xi’s meeting with entrepreneurs could be a “potentially momentous show of support for the private sector.”
The move is seen as a positive development for global investors, who have been concerned about the potential for further regulatory crackdowns on private companies. Tencent, Xiaomi, and Alibaba stocks rose in response to the news.
Meanwhile, US-Russia talks are set to take place in Saudi Arabia, with senior officials from both countries expected to meet to discuss ending the Ukraine war. The meetings come amid criticism of Moscow and Washington’s bilateral efforts, which have left European leaders excluded from the negotiations.
In other news, the US State Department removed a phrase from its website stating that it does not support Taiwan independence, sparking concerns about a potential policy shift. Taiwan officials welcomed the change, but experts note that relations between the US and Taiwan have become increasingly uncertain and transactional.
A stampede at a train station in New Delhi killed at least 18 people, with many victims traveling to a massive Hindu festival that attracted over 500 million attendees. Authorities have promised to investigate the incident, which has raised concerns about crowd control efforts.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei backtracked after promoting a cryptocurrency coin that boosted his economy, while Netanyahu said he and US President Donald Trump are “reshaping” the Middle East through their diplomatic efforts.
Source: https://www.semafor.com/article/02/16/2025/xi-jinping-set-to-host-corporate-leaders-including-jack-ma