Lhe Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived late Monday morning at the Elysée for the official start of his two-day state visit to France, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He was welcomed by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in the main courtyard of the presidential palace where the Republican Guard had been deployed. The two men were to have a first meeting immediately in the presence of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who came to discuss in particular the numerous trade disputes with Beijing.
“Fair rules for all”
The French president called in front of his Chinese counterpart Xi for “fair rules for all” in trade between Europe and China.
“The future of our continent will also very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner,” he said at the Elysée at the opening of a three-way meeting attended by also from the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. He added that “coordination” with Beijing on the “major crises” in Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive”.
Mr Macron added that “coordination” with Beijing on the “major crises” in Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive”.
“China and the European Union have a shared interest in peace and security,” stressed Ms. von der Leyen, affirming her “determination to stop the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and to establish a just and peaceful peace. sustainable “.
“We have an interest in demonstrating that our collaboration is producing its effects,” insisted the President of the Commission, referring to the “challenge” of the “substantial economic relationship” between Brussels and Beijing.
“Continue dialogue and cooperation”
The Chinese president, for his part, pleaded for his country and the European Union (EU) to strengthen their “strategic coordination” and remain “partners”, despite multiple disputes, from trade to Ukraine.
“As two major world powers, China and the EU should remain partners, continue dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, consolidate strategic consensus and carry out strategic coordination.” Xi Jinping told his interlocutors.
“This is so as to promote the steady and healthy development of China-EU relations and continuously make new contributions to world peace and development,” he continued.
The EU officially considers China a partner, but also a competitor and a systemic rival.
Relations between Beijing and Brussels have become significantly strained with the opening in 2023 by the European Union of an investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric cars.
China has also been criticized by Westerners and particularly Europeans on the Ukrainian issue. Because if she calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries – including Ukraine – she has never publicly condemned Russia. Beijing has also strengthened its diplomatic and economic relations with Moscow since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.
If these differences remain, Beijing generally perceives Brussels as a more stable and predictable partner than the United States, which has increased trade restrictions and hostile political declarations towards China in recent years.
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