Chinese President Xi Jinping met Kristalina Georgieva, on her first visit to China as IMF chief, on November 22. During the meeting, Xi said that due to slower economic growth and rising protectionism, there are higher expectations for the IMF. The Chinese president added that China intends to forge ahead with economic development and further opening up of its economy. Georgieva said the IMF supports free and open trade and expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative.