This year marks 60 years since France established diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Xi will arrive in France on a two-day state visit on May 6. By all accounts, the war in Ukraine is on the agenda, as well as trade relations between China and Europe.
The last time Xi was in Europe was in 2019, before the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Then, too, the trip went to France, in addition to Italy and Monaco.
This time, Xi has chosen to visit Serbia and Hungary – two European countries that are on relatively good terms with Russia. Serbia is not a member of the EU, while Hungary is led by a government that has repeatedly clashed with Brussels.
Xi is scheduled to be in Europe from May 5 to 10.
– China looks forward to working with France to further increase mutual political trust, solidarity and cooperation, says Lin Jian, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China has repeatedly expressed its desire for closer cooperation with Europe, while relations with the United States are strained. Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly advocated that Europe must be freer in relation to the USA, not least militarily.
