Chinese CEOs await invite to Xi's US state dinner

A small group of Chinese CEOs with US visas has arrived in Washington separately from President Xi Jinping’s official entourage, and they are still awaiting confirmation on whether they will attend Thursday’s state dinner for Xi. Their participation remains uncertain as diplomatic negotiations continue. Unlike the American CEOs who traveled with President Trump to Beijing in May, these executives did not fly with Xi’s official party or aboard his aircraft, reflecting Beijing’s different security protocol. Sources say it is unlikely any applied for new visas, and the final decision is tied to talks between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, with the matter raised during their Wednesday meeting. The outcome of the state dinner invitations hinges on the final twists of diplomatic negotiations, underscoring the sensitive business optics surrounding Xi’s White House visit.