▲ US-China Summits
As Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to depart for the United States on September 23, attention is focusing on which business leaders will accompany him on the delegation.
While the Chinese government has not yet made an official announcement, observations suggest that heads of major Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) companies have been excluded from the entourage.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that, according to information known through media outlets so far, founders of AI companies such as DeepSeek and Moonshot appear not to have been included in the list.
It also conveyed expert analysis suggesting this could be a measure by the Chinese government to protect key AI talent.
Chen Zhiwu, chair professor of finance at the University of Hong Kong, said, "If they were to accompany him at this stage, they could find themselves in an awkward situation," adding, "This is to protect them."
Another analyst from a think tank, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, agreed that key researchers and business figures in cutting-edge technology sectors like AI are easily exposed to risks in the current geopolitical climate.
Additionally, analyses have been raised that differing stances between the two governments may have been reflected in the composition of this visiting group, as theories surrounding AI posing an existential threat to humanity and calls for slowing down its pace have surged within the US industry.
Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at investment bank Natixis, pointed out that growing public opposition and political pressure regarding the rapid advancement of AI technology are mounting in the United States.
She remarked, "China knows that the US needs to slow down, whereas China does not," and added, "That is why President Xi does not want to take AI figures with him."
Some analyses suggest that the composition of the delegation is determined by bilateral negotiations and mutual agreements, reflecting the priorities of the summit agendas agreed upon by China and the United States.
Previously, SCMP reported, citing two sources, that representatives from companies such as Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, smartphone and EV maker Xiaomi, and AI data center optical transceiver supplier Innolight could potentially join the US-bound delegation.
On the other hand, heads of the US AI industry are expected to further boost their visibility during a period when global attention is focused on the meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly scheduled to attend a state dinner hosted by President Trump.
The US daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that there is a possibility President Xi might not bring business leaders along on his trip to the US at all.
Sources stated that while Chinese business figures were initially expected to attend the White House state dinner alongside their American counterparts, the attendance of the Chinese side has not yet been finalized.
Back in May, when US President Donald Trump visited China, a full lineup of prominent entrepreneurs from the US side turned out, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.
About four months later on this day, President Xi is visiting the United States on a three-day, two-night itinerary in a reciprocal visit to hold talks with President Trump.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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