Sources say a number of multinational executives plan to visit China, including Apple CEO Cook

Beijing, February 13 (Xinhua) A number of top executives of multinational companies are planning to visit China, including Apple CEO Tim Cook (Tim Cook), according to people familiar with the matter.

Cook, CEO of Apple, and Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, are expected to visit China next month, according to people familiar with the matter. Mercedes-Benz said its chairman, Ola K ä llenius, also plans to visit China. Volkswagen Group said its CEO, Oliver Bloom (Oliver Blume), had visited China between the end of January and early February this year.

For many executives, Pfizer CEO Alberle will be their first visit to China since the outbreak. China is the number one manufacturing center and consumer market for many large companies in the world. Some executives have made field visits to local operations and meetings with managers a priority, while others want to meet with local business partners and government officials. Dozens of executives are expected to attend business meetings scheduled to be held in the country in the coming months after China lifted epidemic restrictions.

Cook and Pfizer CEO Alberle are considering attending a high-level China Development Forum in Beijing at the end of March, according to people familiar with the matter. Cook has served as foreign co-chairman of the forum in the past. At the same time, the Boao Forum for Asia will also attract top business leaders from other countries, including Australian iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group. A spokesman for Fortescue said the company is committed to keeping in touch with Chinese customers.

Apple has yet to comment. A Pfizer spokesman declined to comment.