French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on a state visit to France, as reported by official Chinese television CCTV. According to CCTV, Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on May 5th and was greeted by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Orly airport. During his visit, he will commemorate 60 years of Franco-Chinese diplomatic relations and meet with Macron to discuss trade disputes between the European Union and China.
The European Union has been investigating Chinese state subsidies for various industrial sectors, including electric vehicles, which have been accused of distorting competition. The differing opinions within Europe on how to approach China have led to some seeing it as an opportunity for market growth while others call for better protection of national interests and reciprocity.
During his visit, Macron plans to address issues such as Chinese subsidies on French cognac and potential support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. A Franco-Chinese economic forum is scheduled, as well as a more political meeting between Macron and Xi Jinping followed by a press conference. The leaders will also meet informally at the Col du Tourmalet to discuss diplomatic matters, including human rights and the Taiwan issue.
In an article for Le Figaro, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of Sino-French relations and their shared history of partnership and cooperation. He expressed China’s willingness to work with France to promote mutual achievements and build a strong future together. Xi also addressed global issues such as the Ukrainian crisis, calling for respect for international principles and cooperation to find peaceful solutions.
Xi highlighted the need for an independent Palestinian state as a fundamental solution for peace in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of implementing UN resolutions and supporting the two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the region. Xi expressed China’s commitment to collaborating with France and the international community to address conflicts and promote stability around the world.
Overall, this state visit marks an important moment in Sino-French relations as they celebrate their shared history of partnership while also discussing current global challenges together
