Former Apple CEO meets China's economic chief He Lifeng, stresses deeper cooperation

[Financial News] He Lifeng, China's vice premier in charge of economic and trade negotiations, met Apple board chairman Tim Cook and stressed implementing the agreement between the U.S. and Chinese leaders, as well as deepening cooperation between the two countries.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and other outlets on the 13th, Vice Premier He met Chairman Cook at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing the previous afternoon.
This was Cook's first visit since stepping down as Apple's CEO last month. He Lifeng, China's economic chief, met Cook in person despite his departure from Apple's day-to-day management, recognizing that Cook still wields influence as a key channel of communication between the U.S. and Chinese business communities.
Indeed, even after moving to the role of executive chairman of Apple's board, Cook has continued to handle some responsibilities, including communicating with policymakers around the world.
At the meeting, Vice Premier He said, “Faithfully implementing the agreement between the leaders of the two countries and building a constructive, strategically stable U.S.-China relationship based on respect, fairness and equality will benefit not only the two countries but also the stability and development of the global economy.”
He added, “This will provide multinational companies with stable prospects and a favorable business environment. We welcome technology companies from around the world, including Apple, continuing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and sharing in the development opportunities of Chinese-style modernization.”
In response, Cook said Apple had firm confidence in its long-term development in China and that he would contribute more to the stable and healthy development of U.S.-China economic and trade relations through his role as a communication bridge for the business community.
Apple announced its leadership transition plan last April, naming John Ternus, then senior vice president of hardware engineering, as its new CEO, and officially completed the transfer of leadership on September 1.
However, Cook still demonstrated his role by attending the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 24th of last month.
The dinner was attended by leaders of major U.S. technology companies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su.

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter