President Xi Jinping has arrived in Europe for the first time in five years. His state visit began today in France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Tomorrow, Xi and Macron will visit southern France before continuing on to Serbia and Hungary.
During his time in France, Xi’s visit holds symbolic significance as he is attending the 25th-anniversary memorial service of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war. This act has been interpreted as a political message regarding NATO’s approach to international law.
The timing of Xi’s visit comes at a tense moment in EU-China relations, with the EU seeking to reduce strategic dependencies and launching trade investigations into China’s activities. This includes exploring import duties on Chinese electric cars and investigating anti-competitive subsidies to car manufacturers.
The conflict in Ukraine, particularly Russia’s war of aggression, is another point of tension in EU-China relations. While China claims neutrality, its trade relationships with Russia raise concerns in Europe. Efforts to address these issues were discussed during Xi’s meetings with Macron and von der Leyen.
Both European leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue between Europe and China in addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. They expressed their desire for a fair-playing China that respects international norms and committed to making tough decisions to protect their economies and security.
Overall, Xi’s visit to Europe highlights the complex and nuanced nature of EU-China relations, with both sides navigating difficult issues while also seeking opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit
