Chinese state councilor meets Jardine Matheson president

Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili met in Beijing Thursday with Percy Weatherall, president of Jardine Matheson Group.

First established in Guangzhou in 1832, the British-funded Jardine Matheson Group has a long-term and close links with China. This transnational business has been active in Chinese market since the start of China's opening-up policy in the late 1970s.

In 1980, Jardine invested in one of the first foreign-funded companies in China -- Beijing Air Catering Co. at Beijing Airport - - and also in one of the first industrial joint ventures, Schindler Elevator works in Beijing and Shanghai. Since then Jardine has entered into many business fields in China.

Percy and his party arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.