IRIA News

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on May 6, 2024, kicking off his first visit to Europe in five years. The Chinese leader will then visit Serbia, and Hungary on his tri-nation trip to Europe aimed at repairing strained relations between Beijing and Europe.

In Paris, the first stop of his European trip, President Xi Jinping was greeted by President Emmanuel Macron at a welcoming ceremony at Les Invalides on Monday afternoon, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and France.

The day began with trilateral talks led by President Xi, President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The talks were followed by bilateral talks between Xi and Macron at the Elysee presidential palace, concluded by a French-Chinese economic forum.

In Paris, President Xi Jinping met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They discussed trade issues, the Middle East crisis, the Ukraine war and global challenges including climate change.

Au moment de célébrer le 60ème anniversaire de nos relations diplomatiques avec la République populaire de Chine et pour votre troisième visite d’État en France,

Président XI Jinping,

Bienvenue ! pic.twitter.com/DJu5RhKWq6

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 6, 2024

In his introductory remarks, Macron said that his meeting with the Chinese would address trade issues and how to ensure “fair competition,” then the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The talks are aimed at sharing “both our shared positions and our concerns, to try to overcome them, because the future of our continent will very clearly also depend on our ability to develop balanced relations with China,” he said. “We are at a turning point in our history” as the Europe-China relationship is faced with challenges, Macron said.

Trade in focus at China-France-EU trilateral meeting

Macron, a staunch supporter of Europe’s economic autonomy, aims to voice his concerns regarding Chinese antidumping policies affecting the exports of cognac and other European brandies in the Chinese market. He also discussed trade tensions surrounding French cosmetics and other industries.

During a trilateral meeting with the French and Chinese President, Von der Leyen voiced her concerns about the unequal market access and Chinese state subsidies, severely affecting European industries.

After the meeting, she told reporters that the EU “cannot absorb massive over-production of Chinese industrial goods flooding its market”. She said, “Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its market.”

Despite expectations from several observers and analysts for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to participate in the meeting with the Chinese President in Paris, sources revealed that he did not attend due to prior commitments.

China-EU cooperation is in essence complementary and mutually beneficial. The two sides have extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation in green and digital transition.

It is necessary that they properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue and… pic.twitter.com/uTs5w78x0q

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) May 6, 2024

The 27 members of the EU, notably France and Germany, lack unity in their trade and economic approach to China, hindering efforts to develop a unified stance. While Paris pushes for a more stringent stance on the electric vehicle probe, sources indicate that Berlin favors a more cautious approach.

In brief remarks ahead of the meeting, Xi said that he considers relations with Europe as a priority in China’s foreign policy and emphasized the importance of both parties remaining dedicated to their partnership.

During the talks, Xi agreed that economic and trade frictions should be addressed through dialogue and said China and the EU should “remain partners” and “carry out strategic coordination” and thus “make new contributions to world peace and development.”

“As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, China and the EU, as two important forces, should continue to see each other as partners, stay committed to dialogue and cooperation,” Xi said.

Xi and Macron attend China-France Business Council meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping also attended the sixth meeting of the Franco-Chinese Business Council at the Marigny Theater in Paris, France, on May 6.

The French government announced plans to streamline visa issuance for Chinese tourists and visitors. This includes easier access to short-stay visas with multiple entries for business travelers, eliminating the need for repeated visa applications. Additionally, French consular services are instructed to prioritize visa processing for groups of Chinese tourists starting in 2025. Meanwhile, China has decided to extend the visa-free policy for short-term visits to China by citizens of 12 countries, including France, until the end of 2025.

Global peace and Ukraine War discussed

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen brought up the topic of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict. She conveyed the EU’s desire for Beijing to exert pressure on its ally Russia and assist in curbing Iran’s proliferation of missiles and drones, stated the head of the EU executive body.

“Given the existential nature stemming from this threat for both Ukraine and Europe, this does affect the EU-China relations,” she said. “We count on China to use all its influence on Russia to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Von der Leyen told reporters after a trilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

French diplomatic sources said Xi had been clear that Beijing did not intend to supply weapons to Moscow. French president welcomed “commitments of the Chinese authorities to refrain from selling any weapons, any aid to Moscow and to strictly control the export of dual-use goods that could be used for military purposes.” Western powers have been trying to persuade China not to support Russia militarily.

China claims its neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza. Beijing has presented itself as a mediator to resolve the ongoing conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China later this month.

Responding to the Western pressures on China over the Ukraine issue, President Xi told the press conference alongside Macron that “China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to it,” and added that “We have always played a positive role to bring about peace.”

“We oppose the use of the Ukrainian crisis to shift the blame to others, smear a third country, and trigger a new Cold War ,” declared Xi Jinping in reference to recurring criticism from the West on the China-Russia relationship. Xi said he would support an international peace conference including Russia and Ukraine “at the right time”.

As France gears up to host the Summer Olympics, Macron expressed his intention to request Xi to leverage his influence to transform the Games into “a diplomatic occasion for peace.”

Key facts about Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe

• The trip comes at a time when many European countries are encouraging Beijing to use its influence to move Russia toward ending the war in Ukraine.
• The visit aims to address trade tensions that have intensified between China and Europe. China looks to resolve tensions over exports of electric vehicles and green technology while Europe calls for ensuring “fair competition”.
• The 2024 Europe visit is Xi’s first time in five years. He last visited Europe in 2019.
• Xi’s visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France and follows Macron’s journey to China in April 2023.