Chinese President Xi Jinping has embarked on his first trip to Europe in five years, starting with a visit to France. During his time there, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On the agenda was a memorial service for the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war, which holds symbolic significance for Xi.
The visit comes at a tense moment in EU-China relations, as the EU seeks to reduce strategic dependencies and launch trade investigations into China’s activities. This includes exploring import duties on Chinese electric cars and investigating anti-competitive subsidies to car manufacturers. The conflict in Ukraine, particularly Russia’s war of aggression, is another point of tension between the two countries. While China claims neutrality, its trade relationships with Russia raise concerns in Europe.
During his meetings with Macron and von der Leyen, both European leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue between Europe and China in addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. They expressed their desire for a fair-playing China that respects international norms and committed to making tough decisions to protect their economies and security.
Overall, Xi’s visit to Europe highlights the complex and nuanced nature of EU-China relations, with both sides navigating difficult issues while also seeking opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit.
