Historic Visit
Major Korean corporations doing business in China, such as the Samsung and Hyundai Motor Groups, are moving nimbly ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day state visit to Korea. They are trying to have talks with the President and high-ranking government officials by means of their networks in China.
The Samsung Group is planning to invite the Chinese President to its semiconductor manufacturing plant in Giheung, Suwon City, so that the invitation can have a positive effect on the operation of its semiconductor plant in Xi’an, China.
Samsung has cared much about him since even before his inauguration. It invited him back in 2005, when the President was the party secretary governing the Zhejiang Province, to its Suwon plant. The top management, including Mr. Lee Jae-yong, met with him five years later in the People’s Great Hall in Beijing. Mr. Lee had two interviews with him last year during the Boao Forum, too. “The Chinese government is considering Vice Chairman Lee not as a third-generation chaebol owner, but as an influential business partner,” said an industry source.
The Hyundai Motor Group is pushing hard for an interview between Chairman Chung Mong-koo President Xi as well. The purpose is to make a breakthrough with the construction of its fourth plant in Chongqing on hold to delay its business in the western inland region.
LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo and Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo are looking forward to a meeting, too. President Xi visited the LG Twin Tower in July 2005 and Chairman Park also met with the President when he headed the China-Republic of Korea Friendship Association.