NOS News•today, 10:09
Chinese President Xi is on a state visit to France. It is the first stop of his first visit to Europe in five years. China sees France as the most powerful country in the EU.
On the first day of the visit to France yesterday, Xi spoke with President Macron about the key issues in international politics and in particular the war in Ukraine. China maintains good relations with Russia.
During a visit to China last year, President Macron Xi called on Russia to “come to its senses”, but this led to nothing. China is not taking sides in the war in Ukraine.
Without obligation
At the same time, it benefits from the trade ban that the US and other Western countries have imposed on Russia. The export of Chinese products to Russia increased by 47 percent last year, the import of Russian products by 13 percent.
After yesterday’s meeting at the Élysée Palace, Macron again expressed hope that China’s influence will help Russia end the war. Xi responded non-committally: “History shows that any conflict can ultimately only be resolved through negotiations. We call on all parties to resume discussions.”
Xi does support Macron’s call for a ceasefire throughout the world during the Olympic Games, this summer in Paris.
Another important topic was trade relations. Macron asked Xi to end protection measures against imports from the EU and the dumping of Chinese products on the European market.
With regard to the latter, China minimally complied with France. China has announced an investigation into the dumping of Chinese brandy and other spirits. Macron gave Xi a few expensive bottles of cognac and Chinese translations of the literary classic Madame Bovary gift.
President Von der Leyen of the European Commission also took part. She also warned China against unfair trade practices and said the EU would not shy away from “tough decisions” if necessary to protect its own economy and security.
Human rights
In an interview ahead of the visit, Macron said he would also discuss the human rights situation in China with Xi. Amnesty International and the journalist organization Reporters Without Borders, among others, had called for this. It has not been announced whether the subject was actually discussed.
The second day of the visit to France has an informal character. Macron takes Xi to the Tourmalet, the mountain in the Pyrenees where Macron often stayed with his grandmother.
Xi will then travel to Serbia and Hungary. These countries are on good terms with China and open their doors to investments from China.
