During his state visit to France on Monday and Tuesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s discussions were primarily focused on the conflict in Ukraine and trade tensions between China and the European Union. Host Emmanuel Macron aimed to persuade Xi to use his influence with Moscow to resolve the conflict. Additionally, the Europeans pressed China to play fairly in trade to prevent further deindustrialization of Europe.
During their meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of fair play in trade between China and the EU. She warned that Europe would take tough decisions to protect its economy and security if necessary. Xi sought to strengthen relations with European leaders by advocating for strategic autonomy, which he interpreted as a balanced position between China and the United States.
As part of his European tour, Xi also visited Serbia and Hungary, where he cultivated closer ties with countries aligned with Beijing. He emphasized the importance of mutual trust and stable growth between China and the EU. However, von der Leyen raised concerns about China flooding the European market with subsidized products, urging Beijing to address the issue of overcapacity.
The state visit included a state dinner at the Elysée and a trip to the Pyrenees, providing an opportunity for candid discussions. Xi hoped to convince the EU, led by France, to reconsider policies that could limit Chinese exports in green sectors where China leads globally. He proposed deepening cooperation in innovation and ecological development.
The issue of Russian aggression towards Ukraine was another significant topic during their talks. Xi expressed China’s willingness to work with France and the international community to find a reasonable solution to the crisis. Von der Leyen called on China to use its influence over Russia to end aggression towards Ukraine.
The visit marked 60 years since diplomatic relations were established between France and China, highlighting Emmanuel Macron’s efforts