French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to France for a state visit, as announced by the official Chinese television CCTV. During his visit, Xi will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and China, meeting with Macron to discuss trade disputes, particularly related to Chinese state subsidies in various industries.
Macron has acknowledged that Europeans are divided on their approach towards China, with some viewing it as an opportunity while others seek to protect national interests and achieve reciprocity in trade relations. The European Union has been investigating Chinese state subsidies, leading to tensions with China. During the visit, Macron is expected to confront Xi on issues such as French cognac subsidies and push for better protection of national security interests.
Xi and Macron will participate in a Franco-Chinese economic forum and engage in a series of diplomatic meetings, including discussions on the Olympic truce for conflicts during the Paris Games and efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Xi emphasized in an article that China and France share a long-standing partnership and have collaborated in various sectors, making significant contributions to global civilization.
In addition to discussing trade disputes and geopolitical issues, Xi also addressed the Ukrainian crisis during his visit. He stated that China has played a constructive role in promoting peace and providing humanitarian aid. He expressed hope for a quick resolution to the crisis and pledged to work with France and the international community towards that goal. Xi also emphasized the importance of creating an independent Palestinian state for lasting peace in the Middle East, highlighting the shared commitment between China and France to support peace efforts in the region.
Overall, this visit marks another step forward in strengthening bilateral ties between France and China. Both leaders have expressed their commitment towards working together towards common goals such as promoting peace, achieving economic cooperation, and addressing global challenges like climate change.
