Musk calls Xi 'great leader,' says China has 'prospered enormously' under him

Chinese state media released a video of Elon Musk praising President Xi Jinping ahead of a summit between the leaders of the United States and China.

China Central Television's online platform published an exclusive interview with Musk, the world's wealthiest person, on Wednesday, according to Yonhap.

In the video, Musk said Xi appears to be "a great leader" and that "China has prospered enormously under his leadership."

"This is something I've experienced firsthand," Musk said. "When you go to China, it's very clear how much progress is being made every year — even within a single year."

"You can see new buildings and new infrastructure," he added. "Just walking down the street, you can tell that the level of prosperity enjoyed by ordinary Chinese people has increased enormously."

"All of this seems to have happened while Xi has been the leader of China," Musk said. "He has done a great job. He is very capable."

In a separate interview video released by People's Daily's new media arm, Musk said "China's infrastructure is objectively better than that of the United States."

The outlets described the interviews as having taken place recently but did not disclose the exact dates or locations.

Musk, who operates Tesla's largest production facility — the Shanghai Gigafactory — in China, accompanied President Donald Trump as part of his delegation when Trump visited China in May.

Trump also calls Xi 'a great leader'

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping [Getty Images]

Meanwhile, Trump also called Xi "a great leader" as he welcomed the Chinese president on a state visit to the United States, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump gave Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, a warm welcome as the couple arrived in Washington aboard Xi's official aircraft, Xinhua reported.

"I am very pleased to welcome President Xi and Madam Peng to Washington," Trump said. "This visit is one that the whole world is watching."

Trump added that "President Xi is a great leader, and this is a great moment," saying he looked forward to "an in-depth exchange of views with President Xi and to advancing the development of relations between the two countries."

State media reports made no separate mention of remarks Xi delivered at the welcoming ceremony, conveying only the text of his written statement.

"China and the United States are both great nations, and the Chinese people and the American people are both great peoples," Xi said in the statement. "The two countries should be partners, not rivals. Realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again are entirely compatible goals."

Xi's US visit came roughly four months after Trump's trip to China in May, in the form of a return visit.

yul@heraldcorp.com