PARIS—Chinese President Xi Jinping began a trip to three European countries on Sunday, as the continent is divided over how to deal with China’s growing power and the U.S.-China conflict.
European automakers are being squeezed out by subsidized electric cars made in China. Diplomats are concerned about suspected Chinese spies in European capitals. And China’s continued defense trade with Russia is worrying for anyone in Europe supporting war-torn Ukraine, who worries that the Russian military won’t stop there.
However, Europe and China have strong economic ties, with trade between the EU and China estimated at 2.3 billion euros per day, and President Xi Jinping is expected to lead Europe after a long absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. It appears that he is determined to rebuild and deepen relationships with these people.
President Xi began his visit to France on Sunday, saying he wants Europe to become economically and strategically independent from other world powers. The Chinese president will then head to Serbia and Hungary, both of which are seen as pro-China and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and have received significant investment from China.
Xi’s visit will be closely watched in Washington for signs of declining European support for key foreign policy goals. At the same time, there is growing uncertainty in Europe about future U.S. support for transatlantic allies.
Xi was received by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Paris’ Orly airport, where there were protests by groups demanding pressure on France to respect the rights of the Tibetan and Uyghur minorities. Tibetan freedom activists attempted to unfurl a banner under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Saturday, holding a protest in the French capital around the same time as President Xi’s plane touched down.
After arriving, President Xi said that the visit would bring about “strategic convergence” between China and France, and that the further development of bilateral relations would bring “stability and positive energy in a turbulent world,” according to a document provided to reporters. He said he hopes to contribute to the airport.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to bestow the formal honor of a full state visit to the Chinese leader. The two leaders will also meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will work with Macron to push for fairer trade policies and help China use its influence with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. It is expected that progress will be made towards this.
The EU launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies last fall and could impose tariffs on electric vehicles exported from China.
China maintains neutrality in the Ukraine conflict but refuses to call Russia’s full-scale attack on its neighbor an invasion, and has been accused of building up Russia’s weapons production capabilities.
