Chinese President Xi Jinping has just arrived in Europe for the first time in five years. Today, he is on a state visit to France, where he met with French president Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Tomorrow, the three leaders will visit southern France in the Hautes-Pyrénées province. From France, Xi’s journey continues to Serbia and Hungary.
Despite China’s efforts to improve relations with Europe, tensions remain high due to several factors. One of them is Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Although China claims to be a neutral party, it imports Russian energy and exports dual-use products to Russia, creating concerns in Europe.
Another issue that has strained relations between China and Europe is the EU’s attempts to reduce “strategic dependencies” on China. The EU has launched numerous trade investigations into China’s activities, including plans for import duties on cheap Chinese electric cars due to concerns about anti-competitive subsidies and unfair market access.
Macron emphasized the need for dialogue between Europe and China in the current global political situation after his meeting with Xi Jinping. Von der Leyen described the communication between the trio as open and honest, with disagreements being addressed. She acknowledged the complexity of the relationship between the EU and China but urged Xi to use his influence to help end Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen emphasized fair play for all parties involved while expressing Europe’s readiness to make tough decisions if necessary. She stated that she wants good relations with China because they are essential for addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
Overall, Xi Jinping’s visit marks an important moment in strengthening ties between China and Europe despite their differences on several issues.
