Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee made his first trip to China in two years to attend the high-profile China Development Forum (CDF) in Beijing on March 23-24, 2025. The event brought together nearly 80 global tech leaders amidst evolving US-China trade relations and technological competition.
Forum Highlights Key Industry Trends
The CDF, organized by China’s State Council, serves as a platform for dialogue between Chinese government officials and international business leaders. This year’s forum focused on “Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Global Economic Growth” against the backdrop of ongoing technological decoupling efforts between the US and China.
Key attendees included:
- Tim Cook (Apple CEO)
- Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm CEO)
- Kwak Noh-jung (SK Hynix CEO)
- Hock Tan (Broadcom CEO)
Lee’s participation underscores Samsung’s strategic interest in maintaining strong ties with China despite geopolitical tensions. The company faces a complex balancing act between US restrictions on high-tech exports to China and the importance of the Chinese market for Samsung’s business.
Samsung’s Stake in the Chinese Market
China represents a crucial market and manufacturing base for Samsung:
- Sales in China topped $44 billion in 2024, surpassing US sales
- Key manufacturing sites for memory chips and home appliances
- Growing demand for Samsung’s semiconductor products
Lee’s attendance at the CDF signals Samsung’s commitment to navigating the challenging business environment. It comes shortly after he called on employees to adopt a “do or die” mindset in the face of industry headwinds.
Strategic Networking on the Sidelines
Beyond the official forum proceedings, Lee engaged in strategic meetings with industry peers:
- Met with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun after a seven-year gap
- Discussions with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon
- Potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (unconfirmed)
These interactions highlight Samsung’s efforts to strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities within the evolving tech landscape.
Implications for the Global Tech Industry
The strong turnout of international executives at the CDF, despite US-China tensions, suggests that major tech companies are reluctant to completely disengage from the Chinese market. This creates a complex dynamic as firms navigate competing pressures:
- US push for “de-risking” supply chains away from China
- The allure of China’s massive consumer market and manufacturing capabilities
- Potential for new collaborations and innovations
Samsung’s approach of maintaining engagement while diversifying its global footprint may serve as a model for other tech giants seeking to balance geopolitical realities with business imperatives.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As US-China tech competition intensifies, companies like Samsung face both risks and potential rewards:
- Tightening export controls could disrupt existing supply chains
- Increased scrutiny of cross-border technology transfers
- Opportunities to fill market gaps as Chinese firms face restrictions
Samsung’s strategy of high-level engagement, as demonstrated by Lee’s CDF attendance, positions the company to adapt quickly to shifts in the global tech landscape.
The CDF serves as a barometer for the state of US-China tech relations. While challenges remain, the dialogue fostered by such events may prove crucial in navigating the complex road ahead for global tech leaders.