Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on Sunday at the start of a European tour during which he will hold talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
On his first visit to Europe since 2019, Xi will head after France to Serbia and Hungary.
“On the afternoon of May 5 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived by plane in Paris to begin a state visit to France,” Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Tomorrow, Monday, during the visit that coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of French-Chinese diplomatic relations, Xi Jinping will hold a series of meetings with Macron, who preceded his visit with consultations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to unify their positions on China.
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 light of European fears of economic decline in light of the competition between the two primary powers in the world, 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.
In turn, China opened an investigation into government support for some French products.
While the signing of any major contract has not yet been revealed, discussions regarding investments will continue until the end. A China-France economic forum is scheduled to be held Monday at the Marigny Theater.
In the afternoon, an official reception for the Chinese President will be held with a standing ovation at the Invalides Palace in Paris. 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 plans to ask the Chinese to support an “Olympic truce” to suspend “all” disputes during the Paris Games this summer.
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