Elon Musk, owner of Twitter and CEO of Tesla, recently visited China. It was the billionaire's first trip to China since 2019. Musk met with Chinese Foreign Minister Jin Gang and later with Vice Premier Ding Hsüe Hsiyang. During these meetings, he discussed the investment in the newest Tesla factory in Shanghai, as well as issues related to the lithium battery supply chain.
Although officially it was all about business, the political symbolism of the trip was unmistakable on both sides, the author, Zoltán Pataki
noted.Moreover, Musk made several statements that are in stark contrast to the Biden administration's communications and goals. He has openly condemned the US administration's efforts to "decouple" the US and Chinese economies, the journalist pointed out.
Pataki recalled that Musk has already made comments that have shocked Americans. Last year, for example, he told the Financial Times that Chinese electric car makers would be successful because the Chinese have a strong work ethic. "There are simply a lot of super-talented, hard-working people in China who believe strongly in manufacturing," he said. In contrast, he said, "Americans are now trying to avoid even having to go to work".
Beijing has devoted particular media attention to the US billionaire's recent visit, seeking to amplify its significance on all platforms. It has put a lot of emphasis on showing that he is not "just a businessman" in the country, the author added.
This is particularly striking when you consider when a US politician has been so well received in China in recent times. Even the few US officials - Antony Blinken, Wendy Sherman - who have conducted negotiations in China have not received such a warm welcome, he noted.
