Chinese President Xi Jinping expected on a state visit to Paris and the Hautes-Pyrénées on May 6 and 7

This is the start of the Chinese president’s first tour of Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic.

type="image/avif">>>>

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected on a state visit to France on May 6 and 7, to discuss in particular the war in Ukraine with Emmanuel Macron, the Elysée announced on Monday April 29. “This visit comes on the occasion of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the visit of the President of the Republic to Beijing and Canton in April 2023”, said the presidency in a press release. The Chinese president will also make a more personal detour to the Hautes-Pyrénées.

“The discussions will focus on international crises, first and foremost the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, trade issues, scientific, cultural and sporting cooperation as well as our common actions in the face of global issues, in particular climate emergency, the protection of biodiversity and the financial situation of the most vulnerable countries”, added the French presidency.

In 2023, during a trip to China, Emmanuel Macron called on Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to its senses” towards Ukraine “and everyone at the negotiating table”. The Chinese president then said, face to face, that he was ready to call his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the French delegation. The call took place shortly after. Calling for a peace solution, the Chinese authorities, who officially say they are neutral, have never condemned the Russian invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China in May.