China's President Xi Jinping met with global CEOs in Beijing on Friday, as the government tries to woo foreign firms whose investment could give the ailing Chinese economy a boost and help insulate it against simmering geopolitical tensions.

German investment in China’s auto industry has been one of the few bright spots as foreign investment has slowed to a crawl.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on global business leaders to push back against protectionism, seeking to take advantage of growing backlash to rising US tariffs to promote his country as a reliable partner.