By Laurie Chen, Michael Martina BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When the leaders of some of the world's largest companies flocked to Beijing for a business forum last month, their main purpose was a coveted meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied reports of a phone conversation between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, as mentioned by the U.S. President. Main information The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any phone conversation between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

Standing outside his friend’s cupcake shop, he says Donald Trump’s levies are a sign that America feels threatened by China’s rise. America’s power is declining, he says. “What you feel in today’s world is that hegemony is very hard to achieve.