Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to France on Monday and Tuesday was marked by discussions 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 help resolve the crisis. Moreover, European leaders pressed China to play fairly in trade to prevent deindustrialization of Europe from accelerating.
During the meeting, 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 if necessary to protect its economy and security. Xi sought to strengthen relations with European leaders advocating for strategic autonomy, which he interpreted as a balanced position between China and the United States.
Xi also visited Serbia and Hungary as part of his European tour to cultivate 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 overcapacity.
The visit included a state dinner at the Elysée and a trip to the Pyrenees, providing an opportunity for candid discussions. Xi hoped to convince France, led by Macron, 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 a key topic during the visit. Xi expressed China’s willingness to work with France and other international partners to find a reasonable solution to the crisis