Chinese leader Xi Jinping will make a five-day visit to Europe from Monday. In addition to France, he visits Hungary and Serbia, and according to observers this is no coincidence. Xi may soon need the latter two countries in particular to delay or even block unfavorable moods in the EU.
Xi begins his visit to Europe in France. Officially celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Paris and Beijing. But the mood is not very festive.
Where is the problem?
In many areas. French Senator Olivier Cadic recently raised the alarm about Chinese hackers, because he is one of 116 parliamentarians hacked by APT 31, an organization that allegedly works for the Chinese government. An employee of a German AfD MEP has also just been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Furthermore, there is a lot of anger about alleged unfair Chinese trade practices that are currently being investigated by the European Union (EU). Consider the heavily subsidized electric cars that are currently flooding the European market. Moreover, there are numerous human rights violations by China. And Europe is not at all pleased with Chinese support for Russia in the Ukrainian war.
And what about the other way around?
Beijing complains that Europe is being guided too much in trade negotiations by the ‘hostile’ American attitude towards China. Consider the recent raid in Rotterdam at the Dutch branch of the Chinese company Nuctech. Beijing regards the fact that Chinese dissidents and spokespersons from Uighur and Tibetan circles are finding support in Europe as unacceptable interference in Chinese affairs.
So, what does President Xi hope to achieve?
According to observers, the Chinese president mainly hopes to stick plasters. Xi wants to prevent the EU from erecting tariff walls against China, for example in response to the ongoing investigation into extreme state subsidies for Chinese manufacturers of electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines or medical equipment. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, thinks economic competition is fine, but does not want cheap Chinese overproduction to be dumped on the European market. Furthermore, Xi will want to explain his support for Vladimir Putin in the war with Ukraine, which is condemned by the West.
Why is the Chinese president going to Hungary and Serbia?
Formal because in Budapest it is commemorated that China and Hungary have maintained diplomatic ties for 75 years. In Belgrade, Xi wants to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the American mistaken bombing of the Chinese embassy, which left three dead, during the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia. In Serbia and Hungary he finds two countries that are more friendly towards China than the rest of Europe. With their vote in the EU, Hungarians can delay or even block the new EU policy against China. Western diplomats anticipate that Serbia and Hungary will likely be rewarded with investment deals.
What does his trip with President Macron to the famous cycling mountain Tourmalet mean?
This is the French response to a special visit by the French president five years ago to the city of Guangzhou, where Xi’s father was once a director. Macron and Xi then drank tea in the former official residence of Xi’s father. The Macrons, in turn, are now receiving Xi and his wife in the house on the Tourmalet, where Macron’s grandmother once lived. Xi will undoubtedly be impressed by the beautiful setting and later visit the breathtaking Pic du Midi, which guarantees many beautiful photos.
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Tags: Chinese President Jinping rare visit Europe mood festive
