6-5-2024 (PARIS) Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the strong relationship between China and France as a global exemplar on May 5 upon his arrival in Paris for a rare visit amid increasing trade tensions with the European Union.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to urge Mr. Xi to address trade imbalances and to leverage his influence with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Mr. Xi is scheduled to meet with Mr. Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on May 6.
Welcomed by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal upon his arrival, Mr. Xi emphasized in a statement that China-France relations serve as “a model for the international community, showcasing peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries with differing social systems.”
France has been supportive of an EU investigation into Chinese electric vehicle exports. Additionally, in January, Beijing initiated an investigation into imports of brandy, primarily from France, in what was widely interpreted as retaliation for the EU probe.
“We aim to achieve reciprocal exchanges and ensure our economic security concerns are addressed,” Mr. Macron stated in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune ahead of Mr. Xi’s two-day visit, marking the Chinese leader’s first trip to the region in five years.
The EU’s stance on China, particularly among member states like France and Germany, remains divided.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not join the Paris meetings due to prior engagements, according to sources.
“In Europe, there is no consensus on the issue because some parties view China primarily as a market of opportunities,” Mr. Macron explained, refraining from naming specific countries.
Such disparities could weaken the EU’s ability to exert influence on China.
France also aims to advance discussions on expanding Chinese market access for its agricultural exports and resolving concerns within the French cosmetics industry regarding intellectual property rights, officials disclosed.
During Mr. Xi’s visit, Beijing might announce an order for approximately 50 Airbus aircraft, although it is uncertain whether this would constitute a new agreement, individuals familiar with the negotiations revealed.
France hopes to encourage China to exert pressure on Russia to cease its actions in Ukraine, a goal that has seen limited progress apart from Mr. Xi’s initial call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Mr. Macron’s visit to Beijing in 2023.
“If China seeks to strengthen its relationship with European partners, it’s crucial that they listen to our perspective and take it seriously,” remarked a French diplomatic source.
On May 7, Mr. Macron will accompany Mr. Xi to the Pyrenees, a region of personal significance to the French President as it is where his maternal grandmother was born, before Mr. Xi proceeds to visit Russia-aligned Serbia and Hungary.
