Xi Jinping begins his visit to France

2024-05-05 17:29:11, Kosova & Bota CNA

The President of China, Xi Jinping, arrived in France on May 5 on a state visit, where he will meet with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The French leader is expected to hold talks with Xi on a range of issues, from Ukraine to trade.

Xi's visit to France coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China.

This is the Chinese leader's first visit to Europe since 2019. During the European tour, he will also visit Serbia and Hungary.

Xi's choice to visit France as a European power highlights the warm relations between China and France since Macron made his first visit to China in April 2023.

Chinese state television, CCTV, said Xi's plane arrived in Paris on Sunday afternoon.

He, together with his wife Peng Liyuan, was received at the airport by the French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal.

On Monday, Xi will hold meetings in Paris, including one with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting will be held after a state reception by Macron.

On Tuesday, the two leaders will stay in the Pyrenees mountains, where they will also hold talks.

A key priority for Macron during the talks is to warn the Chinese leader of the danger posed by Russia's support for its invasion of Ukraine.

Western officials have expressed concern that Moscow is already using Chinese equipment in the production of weapons.

Beijing's relations with Moscow have been good even after the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the West wants China, above all, not to supply Russia with weapons.

"It is in our interest for China to help stabilize the international order. Therefore, we must work with China to build peace," Macron said during an interview with the Economist, which was published on Thursday.

He also said that Europe must protect its "strategic interests" in economic relations with China, accusing Beijing of not respecting the rules of international trade.

After Paris, Xi will visit Serbia and Hungary, which boast two of the most China-friendly governments in Europe.

The Chinese leader will be in Belgrade on May 7, the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999. The day serves as a major event in the countries' relations and prompts a shared hostility of China and Belgrade towards the Western military alliance.

In Serbia, Chinese officials have announced new investment initiatives and Xi is expected to invite Serbia to join the BRICS group during the meeting with President Aleksandar Vu?i?.

In Hungary from May 8-10, Xi is also expected to make public a number of new agreements with Budapest./ REL