BHP Billiton’s board of directors will hold its June meeting in Beijing as part of a visit to gain first-hand insights into issues affecting China and the company’s Chinese customers.

This will be the first time that the BHP Billiton board has met in China.

BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus said he welcomed the opportunity for directors to meet with customers, government representatives, community leaders and BHP Billiton employees in China.

“With China having become a large, important and fast-growing market for BHP Billiton’s products, it is essential that the Group’s directors have a good understanding of the issues associated with China’s vigorous economic growth,” Mr Argus said.

“China has a significant place in BHP Billiton’s future and there is no better way to gain a real awareness of what’s happening and understand BHP Billiton’s role in China’s growth than to meet with a range of people relevant to our business there,” Mr Argus said.

Mr Argus said that BHP Billiton put great emphasis on its relationships with customers and he looked forward to developing those relationships further during the board’s China visit.