Several of America’s most influential technology executives joined US President Donald Trump in Beijing this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the deep commercial ties that continue to connect US tech companies with China despite years of political and trade tensions.

Among those attending the summit are Jensen Huang, Tim Cook and Elon Musk, each representing companies with major operations, investments or supply chain links in China.

The White House said the summit aims to encourage China to expand market access for American firms and improve dialogue on trade, artificial intelligence and broader economic issues.

Nvidia’s relationship with China stretches back more than a decade. The semiconductor company began working with Chinese universities in 2011 to promote use of its CUDA software for artificial intelligence development. By 2017, Nvidia chips were being used by major Chinese technology companies including Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba.

However, Nvidia’s business in China has faced mounting pressure from US export controls introduced during former president Joe Biden’s administration. Restrictions on advanced AI chips limited the company’s ability to sell its most powerful processors to Chinese customers.

To continue operating in the market, Nvidia developed modified chips that complied with US regulations. Even so, additional restrictions and Chinese security concerns have reduced the company’s market share in the country. Chinese firms including Huawei, along with AI developers such as DeepSeek, have increasingly developed domestic alternatives to Nvidia products.

Apple also maintains extensive links with China through manufacturing and supply chains built over decades. The company began expanding production in China in the late 1990s and steadily shifted much of its manufacturing there during the early 2000s through partnerships with suppliers including Foxconn.

Cook has repeatedly played a role in managing tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly during earlier trade disputes. Apple has also secured tariff exemptions in past negotiations with the US government while continuing major investments in China.

The company signed a multibillion-dollar agreement in 2021 aimed at easing regulatory pressure on its operations in the country and later announced plans for an energy investment fund supporting projects in China.

Tesla’s ties with China have also grown substantially under Musk. The electric vehicle maker entered the Chinese market more than a decade ago and initially struggled to gain traction. Sales later accelerated, and in 2019 Tesla opened its large manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

The Shanghai plant has since become one of Tesla’s most important production centres, manufacturing millions of vehicles for both domestic and international markets.

The presence of leading American technology executives at the Beijing summit underlines how deeply interconnected the US and Chinese economies remain, even as disputes continue over trade, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and national security.

London has been named the world’s best city for culture in a new ranking published by Time Out, with the British capital praised for its thriving theatre scene, major museum openings and diverse live entertainment offerings.

The ranking was based on responses from more than 24,000 residents across cities worldwide, with London securing the top position ahead of global cultural hubs including Paris and Berlin.

According to the survey, London performed strongly across several categories, particularly theatre, museums and galleries. Around 90 per cent of local respondents praised the city’s theatre scene, while 88 per cent approved of its museums and 81 per cent highlighted its galleries.

Time Out editors said a wave of major cultural openings and events helped London claim the number one spot. Among the attractions highlighted were the newly launched V&A East Storehouse and the upcoming reopening of the Museum of London at its new Smithfield location later this year.

The publication also pointed to the continued popularity of the West End theatre district, as well as London’s varied music and comedy scene, which ranges from avant-garde jazz performances to underground metal concerts and free stand-up comedy nights.

Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, said cities featured in the ranking combined internationally recognised museums with strong performing arts sectors and busy calendars filled with festivals, exhibitions and public events.

She said the list was designed to provide travellers with a guide to the most vibrant cultural destinations for 2026.

Paris ranked second overall and was the only city in the survey to receive a perfect culture score from residents, with 100 per cent of respondents praising the city’s arts and cultural scene.

Time Out highlighted several major exhibitions expected to attract visitors this year, including a Matisse exhibition at the Grand Palais and “One Hundred Years of Art Deco” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Berlin also featured prominently in the ranking, finishing fourth. Editors described the German capital as a centre for radical artistic expression and alternative culture.

Major events cited included Rave the Planet, Christopher Street Day, Karneval der Kulturen and Fête de la Musique, alongside internationally recognised events such as the Berlinale film festival and Berlin Art Week.

Nine of the top 20 cities in the ranking were located in Europe, including six cities placed within the top 10, highlighting the continent’s continued influence on global arts, entertainment and cultural tourism.