President Xi Jinping of China landed in France on Sunday, welcomed by President Emmanuel Macron, marking six decades of diplomatic relations between the two nations. This visit, Xi's first to Europe since 2019, follows Macron's own trip to China in 2023. Despite the drizzle, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan received a warm reception from French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Paris Orly airport.
Scheduled discussions in Paris on Monday, with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also in attendance, will culminate in a state banquet at the Elysee hosted by Macron. Tuesday offers a more casual setting for talks in the Pyrenees mountains, a place close to Macron's heart.
Xi, speaking to Xinhua upon arrival, highlighted the stability and positive energy injected into the world by Sino-French relations, expressing readiness to deepen exchanges and mutual trust.
Macron's agenda includes persuading Xi against supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of China's role in maintaining international stability. He also stresses Europe's need to protect its strategic interests in economic dealings with China while addressing concerns over trade imbalances and human rights issues, notably regarding the Uyghur Muslim minority and press freedom.
While Macron seeks to influence Xi, analysts remain skeptical about the extent of his impact, given Xi's firm stance. Subsequent visits by Xi to Serbia and Hungary add layers of geopolitical complexity, as both nations are perceived as aligned with Moscow in Europe.
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