Japanese executives absent from China’s key annual summit amid diplomatic tension: sources

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ji Siqi,Kandy WongMarch 21, 2026 at 03:00 AM

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Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, no Japanese business executives will attend China's key annual China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing this week. The forum, held after China's "two sessions" policy meetings, is a platform for foreign business leaders to engage with Chinese officials. Nearly 80 top executives from major foreign corporations, primarily from the US, are expected to attend. Some CEOs, including those from the Middle East, cancelled due to the Iran war disrupting international travel. Key figures attending include Apple's Tim Cook, Volkswagen's Oliver Blume, and Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong, alongside representatives from companies like TotalEnergies and Mercedes-Benz.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

South China Morning Post 40% Lee Jae-yong 40% Samsung Electronics 40% Oliver Blume 40% Volkswagen 40% Apple ×250% Tim Cook ×260% United States 60% Beijing ×270% Japan ×280% China Development Forum (CDF) ×385% China ×490%

Keywords

china development forum 100% japanese executives 90% diplomatic tension 80% business executives 70% china-japan relations 70% foreign corporations 60% multinational companies 60% annual summit 50% beijing 50%