The Telsa CEO’s unannounced visit comes as Chinese automakers promote competing models at the Beijing Motor Show.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has met with China’s second-biggest official during an unannounced visit to Beijing.
Musk’s meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang comes as Chinese automakers unveil their latest electric vehicles at the Beijing Motor Show, which runs from April 25 to May 5.
During their meeting on Sunday, Li told Musk he hoped the United States would enter into “win-win” cooperation with China, citing Tesla’s operations in China as a successful example of cooperation, Chinese state media reported.
“China’s very large market will always be open to foreign-funded companies,” Li was quoted as saying.
“China will stand by its word and continue to work hard to expand market access and strengthen service guarantees.”
Musk said in a post on X that it was “an honor” to meet the No. 2 official.
“We have known each other for many years now, since the beginning of Shanghai,” Musk said.
Musk’s visit was not announced in advance and it is unclear whether his itinerary might include a visit to the Beijing auto show, where Chinese automakers are showcasing electric vehicles that directly compete with Tesla’s models.
The billionaire entrepreneur’s trip comes just over a week after he canceled a planned visit to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to “very high Tesla commitments.”
Tesla operates its largest production plant outside the United States in Shanghai, where about half of its vehicles are produced.
The electric car maker is struggling with sluggish sales, due in part to strong competition from Chinese brands.
Tesla’s vehicle deliveries fell 8.5 percent in the first quarter, contributing to a 40 percent decline in its stock price since July.
The company last week reported first-quarter profit of $1.1 billion, compared with $2.51 billion a year ago.
Musk told employees in a memo earlier this month that the company would lay off more than 10 percent of its global workforce in order to be “lean, innovative and hungry for the next growth phase cycle.”
Chinese auto giant BYD dethroned Tesla as the world’s largest electric vehicle maker in the final three months of 2023, although the Austin, Texas-based company reclaimed the title in the first quarter of this year.
Musk has made several trips to China in recent years, completing his most recent visit in June last year.