Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Elon Musk, chief executive officer of US electric vehicle firm Tesla, in the Chinese capital on Sunday. Li stressed that Beijing is willing to support foreign companies operating or planning to operate in China.

The Foreign Ministry in Beijing says the premier lauded Tesla's operation in China as a successful example of the country's economic and trade cooperation with the United States.

Li emphasized China's intention to advance sustainable and stable development of bilateral ties.

The premier said China's vast market will always be open to foreign businesses. He pledged a better business environment to let them have peace of mind when investing in China.

Musk reportedly credited Tesla's plant in Shanghai as the firm's best-performing. He said his automaker is willing to take the next step in deepening cooperation with China to achieve more win-win results.

US and European media report that Musk was expected to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving, or FSD, software in China.

Li held talks with Musk while the premier was the Chinese Communist Party's top official of Shanghai. In those days, Li helped to attract investment from overseas, including a deal for Tesla to build the Shanghai factory, its first outside the US.

Beijing now is at odds with Washington over advanced technology and other areas, with clouds of uncertainty spreading over China's economic prospects.

Analysts say China promised support for foreign firms to help kick-start its economy.