China (Washington Insider Magazine)— Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first European tour in five years has begun, focusing on relations with France and economic and geopolitical tensions between China and the EU. Xi arrived in Paris for discussions on May 6 with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Key topics include Russia’s war in Ukraine, economic friction over Chinese business practices, and potential resolutions to global crises.
Following his France visit, Xi will travel to Serbia and Hungary. Beijing views both nations as strategic allies in Eastern Europe. Matt Geracim of the Atlantic Council commented that Xi’s goals include mending ties strained by China’s perceived support for Russia, countering the EU’s economic policies aimed at China, and strengthening alliances with Belgrade and Budapest.
In France, Macron will emphasize Europe’s security stance and urge Xi to advocate for peace in Ukraine, where China has taken a neutral position without condemning Moscow. Economic concerns will also feature, as EU officials raise questions about Chinese subsidies in the electric vehicle sector, which they claim harm European industries.
Human rights concerns have prompted protests by Tibetan and Uyghur activists in Paris, calling for Macron to address China’s policies in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. Human Rights Watch and other organizations urge Macron to press Xi on human rights, especially concerning China’s treatment of Uyghurs and restrictions in Tibet and Hong Kong.
Xi’s European tour will conclude in Hungary on May 8, where he will meet with Hungarian President Viktor Orban. Hungary, a participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has aligned with Beijing and Moscow, raising concerns within the EU over Chinese influence in Europe.
