Mr. Xi's first trip to Europe in 5 years

Beijing [China], May 6: Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in France today, May 6, starting his first European tour in 5 years.
Observers pay special attention to Mr. Xi 's visit this time because some European countries have recently been concerned about the "threat" from China , and at the same time, within these countries there are clear differences in How to resolve disagreements with Beijing in both security and economic aspects. Meanwhile, it cannot be denied that some other countries tend to be willing to welcome cooperation with Beijing. After France, Mr. Xi will visit Serbia and Hungary.
Trade is the focus
France is one of the leading countries in the European Union (EU), so the main topic likely to be discussed in Paris is the recent trade tensions between the EU and China. French President Emmanuel Macron was one of those who pushed for the EU to investigate Chinese electric vehicles in September 2023 over suspicions that Beijing subsidized to give domestic car manufacturers an advantage. "We continue to urge China to provide more commitments on trade issues," Reuters quoted an Elysee Palace adviser as saying before Xi's visit.
In France, Mr. Xi will also have a three-way meeting with President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In addition to electric vehicles, Chinese medical equipment and wind turbines are also "in the sights" of the EU investigation. Beijing asserts that the European bloc's trade investigations are politically motivated, and the only people who suffer in tariff tensions are consumers, according to The Guardian . China also responded with an anti-dumping investigation on brandy from Europe (mainly from France).
France will also look for opportunities to call on Beijing to create conditions for French agricultural products to enter the market of 1.4 billion people, as well as address concerns of French cosmetics companies about intellectual property rights. Hot international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the Ukraine situation, are also on the agenda.
According to CNN, observers believe that the most conflicting issues between the two sides are unlikely to reach a breakthrough, unless there are unexpected concessions.
"We need China"
Despite Mr. Macron's tough stance on trade, the president still defends Europe's role as a regional balance, and wants Beijing to be included in global discussions. Before Mr. Xi went to Paris, Mr. Macron urged France to "update" its economic relations with China, to better ensure economic security.
"I'm not suggesting we distance ourselves from China. Whether it's climate or security, we need China," Bloomberg quoted Mr. Macron as saying.
On the one hand, France leads the investigation into Chinese electric vehicles , on the other hand, Mr. Macron is open with his plan to welcome Chinese companies to build electric vehicle factories in France. Ms. Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a member of the European Parliament and a close ally of Mr. Macron, said: " The French President is not a pro-China or anti-American person. He is pro-European and wants to focus on European interests".
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper