Top executives from several multinational companies are planning to visit China, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, people familiar with the matter said.
Tim Cook
Apple CEO Cook and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla are expected to visit China next month, people familiar with the matter said. Mercedes-Benz said its chairman, Ola Källenius, also plans to visit China. Volkswagen Group said that company CEO Oliver Blume had visited China from the end of January to the beginning of February this year.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla
For many executives, this will be their first visit to China since the outbreak. China is the number one manufacturing center and consumer market for many of the world’s largest companies. Some executives make it a priority to visit local businesses and meet with managers, while others want to meet with local business partners and government officials. Dozens of executives are expected to attend business meetings planned for the country in the coming months after China lifted virus restrictions.
Tim Cook and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla considered attending a high-level China Development Forum in Beijing in late March, people familiar with the matter said. Tim Cook served as the foreign co-chair of the forum in the past. Meanwhile, the BFA will also attract top business leaders from other countries, including Australian iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group. A Fortescue spokesman said the company was committed to staying in touch with Chinese customers.
Apple has yet to comment. A Pfizer spokesman declined to comment.
