BlackRock’s, $BLK, Larry Fink and Apple's, $AAPL, Tim Cook were among US executives who've won coveted seats at President Xi Jinping’s table, as the Chinese leader tries to woo foreign capital at a dinner in San Francisco

Prominent figures in the US business sphere, including Apple's Tim Cook, BlackRock's Larry Fink, Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman, and Visa's Ryan McInerney, are scheduled to attend a dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco. The guest list also includes Pfizer's Albert Bourla, Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon, and Broadcom's Hock Tan.

Xi aims to attract foreign capital to China, emphasizing the nation's economic prospects to influential global investors. The dinner follows discussions between Xi and US President Joe Biden, seeking to address challenges in the bilateral relationship. China's importance in the tech sector, with Apple, Qualcomm, and Broadcom relying on its market, makes the event significant for the industry.

The dinner is hosted by the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations and the US-China Business Council, with Xi expected to address the attendees. The Chinese government's efforts to enhance its economy and attract foreign investment face skepticism due to national security controls and policy crackdowns.

Despite concerns about China's economic slowdown, maintaining communication with Xi is deemed crucial for those with a vested interest in the nation. The event's details were initially undisclosed, heightening anticipation, and attendees were reportedly paying $40,000 for a seat at Xi's table, according to Representative Mike Gallagher.