BYD, Xiaomi and Innolight executives likely to join Xi Jinping on US visit: sources

Figures from some of China’s most prominent firms – including electric vehicle maker BYD and smart manufacturing giant Xiaomi – are likely to accompany President Xi Jinping on his trip to the US next week, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The entourage would draw a parallel to the coterie of CEOs that US President Donald Trump brought to Beijing in May, and could signal greater potential for investment deals as part of the high-profile summit.

According to one of the sources, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, representatives of Zhongji Innolight – a leading producer of optical transceivers used in artificial intelligence data centres – could also join, despite recent reports the firm would be on the receiving end of US export restrictions.

Bank of China, the country’s most internationalised lender with an established presence in the US, might also be invited, the person added.