China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli in Beijing on Thursday, reinforcing China's commitment to fostering international business ties despite global uncertainties.
Baker Hughes, a U.S. energy technology giant with over 40 years in China, plays a key role in gas infrastructure and green transition. During the meeting, Wang emphasized China's openness to deeper cooperation in energy and trade.
"Today is a great opportunity. I would like to engage in discussions with you regarding Baker Hughes' development in China, as well as China-U.S. economic and trade relations and the global energy development, including in the field of new energy," said Wang.
Simonelli highlighted the company's long-standing presence in China and its participation in key projects, including the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
"We have multiple facilities and we have also been providing technology to many of the state-owned enterprises. And also with the Belt and Road Initiative, we are continuing to see China grow its presence internationally. And also for Baker Hughes, to be able to participate in that growth," said Simonelli, also the chairman of Baker Hughes.
This meeting is part of a broader trend, as China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has engaged with executives from over 20 multinational corporations this month alone.
Recent high-profile visitors include Apple's Tim Cook, Qualcomm, and Boeing executives, as well as European industry leaders like BMW and Airbus.
MOFCOM's policies on market access and regulation make these face-to-face meetings vital for global businesses navigating China's economic landscape.
Despite geopolitical challenges, China remains a crucial market, and its doors continue to stay open for global investors.
Chinese commerce minister meets CEO of Baker Hughes
The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) kicked off on Friday in Germany against the backdrop of deepening transatlantic tensions and an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
Policymakers from around the world gathered at the MSC to discuss regional and global security and international order as the U.S. punitive tariffs on major trading partners remain in force, disputes over European defense arrangements persist, and renewed frictions over Greenland are increasing strains within the transatlantic alliance.
In his opening address, MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said the conference is taking place at a time of "growing insecurity," with more simultaneous conflicts and crises than at any point in the event's more than 60-year history.
"The transatlantic relationship in particular finds itself at an inflection point," Ischinger said, calling it an "unprecedented challenge" and questioning whether the United States still views European allies as partners.
Echoing these concerns, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that a "divide" has opened up between Europe and the United States, noting that U.S. Vice President JD Vance already made the point openly at last year's MSC.
"The transatlantic partnership is no longer something we can just take for granted," Merz warned.
Published ahead of the MSC, the conference's annual report warned of a weakening of international institutions and said the "recalibration" of U.S. foreign policy has triggered dynamics whose full consequences are only now beginning to emerge.
This year's three-day event is expected to draw around 60 heads of state and government, alongside around 100 foreign and defense ministers. Key topics include the future of the transatlantic relationship, multilateralism, global order, and regional conflicts and crises.
Munich Security Conference kicks off with transatlantic rifts in focus
