Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on Monday for his first visit to the region in five years, with trade and Russia’s war with Ukraine topping the agenda in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
In a statement upon his arrival, Xi praised the strong ties between China and France, despite ongoing trade tensions. He described the relationship as a model for peaceful coexistence and cooperation between countries with different social systems.
Chinese state media also emphasized the importance of cooperation with Europe, with the People’s Daily stating that China is willing to strengthen communication and resolve differences through dialogue.
The Global Times echoed this sentiment, highlighting China’s unwavering support for Europe’s strategic autonomy and desire to expand cooperation.
However, the EU’s 27 members, particularly France and Germany, have differing views on China. While Paris advocates for a tougher stance on trade issues, Berlin is more cautious. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not be joining Macron and Xi in Paris due to prior commitments.
France is hoping to leverage its relationship with China to pressure Moscow to halt operations in Ukraine. Macron has been pushing for progress on this front, with little success so far.
In addition to trade and geopolitical issues, France is also seeking to open the Chinese market for its agricultural exports and address concerns in the French cosmetic industry regarding intellectual property rights. Meanwhile, China may announce an order for around 50 Airbus aircraft during Xi’s visit.
After Paris, Macron will take Xi to the Pyrenees before the Chinese president heads to Serbia and Hungary. The visit is expected to further strengthen ties between China and Europe, despite the challenges and differences that exist.