[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O), is planning a trip to China as early as April and hopes to meet with China’s Premier Li Qiang, according to two people familiar with the trip’s preparations.
According to one of the sources, the exact timing of the visit is dependent on Li Qiang’s availability.
On Friday, Tesla and China’s State Council Information Office did not respond to requests for comment.
After the United States, China is Tesla’s second-largest market, and its Shanghai plant is the electric carmaker’s largest production hub.
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Musk’s trip to China would be his first since the COVID-19 pandemic and Xi Jinping’s election to a third term as China’s president. Before becoming premier in March, Li was Shanghai’s party secretary, where he oversaw the Tesla factory’s construction and opening.
Musk last visited China in early 2020, when he made headlines by dancing on stage at a factory event in Shanghai. He has, however, continued to give virtual speeches at events such as China’s World Internet Conference.
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Li and Musk previously met at the Shanghai plant’s opening in 2019. According to local media, Musk thanked the then-Shanghai party secretary for supporting the plant’s operations during the pandemic’s outbreak in an online meeting in 2020.
Musk’s planned visit also coincides with China’s efforts to entice more foreign investment to help shore up an economy battered by three years of COVID restrictions.
Li has been at the forefront of that effort, speaking at business events attended by Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) Tim Cook and Pfizer’s (PFE.N) Albert Bourla over the past week.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
