2024-05-07 02:45:03
Chinese President China“>Xi Jinping began a three-nation tour of Europe on Sunday, amid division on the continent over how to deal with China’s growing power and rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
In his first visit to Europe since 2019, Xi chose to adopt a diplomatic balance in his stops: after a state visit to France, which for nearly a year has called on him to “get Russia to reason” regarding the war in Ukraine, the Chinese president is heading to Serbia and Hungary, which are close to Moscow.
In light of European fears of economic decline in light of the competition between the two most powerful economies in the world, that is, the United States and China, Brussels has opened during the past months a series of investigations into the support packages provided by the Chinese government to some industrial sectors, especially electric cars.
Europeans and Americans fear that this government support undermines competition and may harm the global economy.
European automakers are losing ground to subsidized Chinese electric cars. Diplomats are concerned about the presence of alleged Chinese spies in European capitals. The continued defense trade between China and Russia worries anyone in Europe who supports war-torn Ukraine and fears that the Russian military will not stop there.
Europe and China have strong economic relations, with trade between the European Union and China estimated at about 2.3 billion euros per day, and Xi seems determined to rebuild and deepen relations with European leaders after a long absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Xi’s trip will be closely watched in Washington for signs of waning European support for its main foreign policy goals. At the same time, there is growing uncertainty in Europe about future American support for transatlantic allies, according to the Associated Press.
Xi arrived in France on Sunday, where he was received shortly after 4 p.m. (16:00 GMT) by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Orly Airport.
On Monday, during the visit, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of French-Chinese diplomatic relations, Xi will hold a series of meetings with Macron, who preceded his visit with consultations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
On Monday morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will join the two presidents at the Elysee Palace in a session during which trade disputes between China and the European Union are expected to be raised.
In the afternoon, an official reception for the Chinese President will be held with a standing ovation at the Invalides Palace. Before a banquet at the Elysee, Macron and Xi meet alone in a meeting of a political nature, and then speak in front of the press.
The French President is expected to urge his Chinese counterpart to reduce trade imbalances between the two countries and use his influence on Russia regarding the war on Ukraine.
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2024-05-07 02:45:03