On his first visit to Europe in five years, Chinese President Xi Jinping is anticipated to focus mostly on commerce, investment, and the Ukraine as the Asian superpower mends its damaged diplomatic ties following a protracted absence due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Xi will begin the journey on May 5 in Paris and meet with Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, who has been emphasizing the concept of European strategic autonomy from the United States. Macron stirred up controversy last year when he said that France would not always support the United States in foreign policy. This was ostensibly a reference to American backing for Taiwan, which China claims is its own territory that it may annex with force if necessary.
Following his departure from France, Xi will travel to Serbia and Hungary, two nations viewed favorably by China and connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who defies Western condemnation of his complete invasion of Ukraine.
Just as Paris is putting the last touches on its preparations to host the Summer Olympics, an event in which China invests a significant amount of national prestige, the Chinese leader is scheduled to arrive in France.
As Xi’s visit officially commemorates 60 years of diplomatic ties between France and China, France views it as a significant diplomatic occasion and wishes to concentrate on China’s wider ties with the EU. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was invited by Macron to the Monday meeting.
It happens one month before Macron, who sees himself as Europe’s diplomatic head, welcomes Biden for a same type of state visit.
