Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Alibaba cofounder Jack Ma and other top business leaders, signaling Beijing’s support for the private sector amid economic challenges. The gathering included executives from Tencent, Huawei, BYD, and Xiaomi, highlighting sectors such as AI, electric vehicles, and chipmaking. The meeting marks a shift from previous regulatory crackdowns, as China looks to revive economic confidence while the US escalates trade restrictions. Authorities have softened their stance toward private firms, aligning with Xi’s push for leadership in technology and innovation. While the meeting reassured investors, it remains unclear if Beijing will introduce concrete policy changes. A stronger commitment to private-sector growth could further boost markets and business sentiment as China navigates economic headwinds.