Lee Jay-yong, the vice president of Samsung Electronics Co. and the heir-apparent of Samsung Group, met the head of China-based financial giant CITIC Group and discussed ideas on business ties, the Samsung office said Thursday.

Lee met Chang Zhenming, the chairman of CITIC, for follow-up talks on an agreement signed between Samsung Securities Co. and CITIC Securities earlier this month for cooperation in the financial sector.

"Lee expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the two brokerage houses and exchanged ideas on expanding the ties to various sectors such as the exchange trade fund," Samsung said.

The two agreed to exchange research data and launch joint financial instruments.

Lee is in Beijing to take part in the Boao Forum. (Yonhap)