Executives from US conglomerates the size of Apple and Visa, as well as many others, said they were in attendance at last weekend's China Development Forum, considered the country's top investment conference. For many, it was the first opportunity to visit the country in person after three years of restrictions, as well as to meet newly appointed senior officials following a major leadership reshuffle.

The fervor of public discourse on both sides marks a gentle renewal of the terms of cooperation. The toxic combination of White House sanctions on one hand and China's pandemic control restrictions on the other has resulted in foreign direct investment in the country plummeting from a record high of $102 billion in the first quarter of 2022 to hit an all-time low. level in the last 20 years of $13 billion in the third quarter of that year, based on an analysis of official Rhodium Group data.

The last quarter of 2022 saw a slight recovery, but US foreign direct investment to China has been slowing for years. Despite their misgivings about the US government, Chinese officials do not want American capitalists to stop investing in their country because their companies create jobs, bring technology and best practices.

If these companies no longer act alone as levers of pressure in favor of China, they are, nevertheless, a stabilizing factor for bilateral diplomatic relations, reported by Reuters, Greek Kathimerini.