Microsoft founder Gates becomes latest big-name tech leader to visit China

Bill Gates, left, meets with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing (Yin Bogu/Xinhua via AP)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the United States and China can co-operate to “benefit our two countries” in a meeting on Friday with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ahead of a visit by US secretary of state Antony Blinken at a time of strained relations.

The state broadcaster CCTV showed Mr Xi saying he was happy to see Mr Gates, whom he called an “old friend,” after three years without meeting during the pandemic.