• Premier Li Qiang told global business leaders at the China Development Forum 2025 that China remains open for business, warning against economic fragmentation.
  • The high-level meetings with BlackRock and Citadel's Ken Griffin come amid escalating US-China trade tensions and a slowdown in foreign investment.
  • The outreach is seen as a critical effort to bolster confidence among multinational investors concerned about regulatory policy and geopolitical instability.

China’s Premier Li Qiang met with top executives from global investment giants BlackRock and Citadel this week, delivering a stark warning against economic decoupling in a direct appeal to international finance. The meetings, which took place during the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing, were part of a concerted effort to reassure investors spooked by escalating trade tensions with the US and a perceived increase in market uncertainty.

Addressing an audience of more than 80 executives, including Citadel founder Ken Griffin and Apple CEO Tim Cook, Li stated that “global economic fragmentation is intensifying, and instability and uncertainty are on the rise.” He called for open markets and resource sharing, asserting that “decoupling and breaking the chain will only aggravate the crisis,” according to a readout of his remarks.

The outreach comes just as the US administration has imposed a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods, raising fears of a renewed trade war. For firms like BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $10 trillion in AUM, and Citadel, which has reported strong returns and is expanding its Asia operations, clarity on China’s regulatory stance is paramount. A person familiar with the discussions said the premier’s team emphasized regulatory stability and a desire for continued foreign direct investment, key concerns for institutional capital.

While China has historically used such forums for diplomatic reassurance, the current geopolitical climate lends the meetings heightened significance. Foreign investment flows into China have slowed recently as multinationals reassess operational risks. The premier’s remarks, which also championed the Global Development Initiative and multilateralism, signal a willingness to work with foreign investors even as inter-governmental relations with Western powers remain strained.

Attempts to reach BlackRock and Citadel for immediate comment on the specifics of the meetings were unsuccessful. The dialogue is expected to continue behind the scenes as China seeks to balance its economic opening with domestic policy control amidst persistent global volatility.