By The Financial District
- Jun 17, 2023
- 1 min read

Xi Jinping Calls Gates An "Old Friend" In Beijing Meet

Chinese President Xi Jinping called Bill Gates "an old friend" and said he hoped they could cooperate in a way that would benefit both China and the US, in Xi's first meeting with a foreign entrepreneur in years, Reuters reported.

In a meeting at Beijing's Diaoyutai state guest house, where China's leaders have received senior foreign visitors, Xi said he was happy to see the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist after three years.

Gates was the first American friend he had met this year.

Gates, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, said he was "honored" to have the chance to meet. "We've always had great conversations and we'll have lot of important topics to discuss today ... it's very exciting to be back."