The traditional gift exchange ceremony took place on Monday May 6, during the first day of the Chinese president’s visit to France.
Xi Jinping was showered with gifts by Emmanuel Macron on the first day of his state visit to France which celebrates 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries. Bottle of cognac, Chanel handbag, books by Victor Hugo… the president took advantage of this exchange of gifts to highlight French culture and luxury.
Emmanuel Macron indeed highlighted French know-how and craftsmanship during this official ceremony. A black leather handbag from the haute couture house Chanel, whose logo is covered in pearls, was given to the Chinese president. A sculpted vase from the Amboise glassworks, in Indre-et-Loire, made “in homage to China” by glassblower Pierre Gallou was then offered, according to images broadcast by BFMTV. “This city in the west of France has, since the 1970s, this culture of vases, painting on colored glass and painting on ceramic”proudly detailed Emmanuel Macron.
French literature was also in the spotlight since works by Victor Hugo were offered to Xi Jinping. “I know that you love Victor Hugo very much, you have often paid tribute to him”, underlined Emmanuel Macron, smiling. The Chinese president was presented with an 1861 edition of the collection of poems Contemplationsas well as a Chinese translation of Notre Dame de Paris. The opportunity for the French Head of State to recall that the cathedral will reopen its doors on December 8. Emmanuel Macron also gave his Chinese counterpart an edition of the first Franco-Chinese dictionary “known”published in 1742.
Diplomatic gift
And the gift giving doesn’t stop there. Hennessy Cognac, accompanied by a Louis XIII decanter from Rémy Martin, was then handed out. A present far from being chosen by chance since cognac, like all European spirits produced from wine, is the subject of an investigation for competition infringement, carried out by China since the beginning of the year. At the end of discussions between the two leaders on Monday May 6, Emmanuel Macron congratulated himself on having protected French cognac from the threat of Chinese customs taxes. “provisional”. “I also thank the president for his openness regarding the provisional measures on French cognac and his wish not to see them applied”, declared the French head of state to the press. Baiju (a Chinese brandy) Moutai was also given.
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For his part, Xi Jinping did not arrive empty-handed. Although the list of gifts given to Emmanuel Macron has not been revealed, AFP photos show books, paintings, as well as a representation of what appears to be an anchiornis, a small feathered dinosaur that lived in China during Prehistory, specifies The voice of the North .
LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
The exchange of gifts between leaders is an unmissable custom during state visits. Each president offers gifts linked to the culture of his country, sometimes with symbolic significance. During Charles III’s visit to France last September, Emmanuel Macron, for example, offered an original edition of Roots of Heaven by Romain Gary, a plea in favor of protecting the planet which won the Goncourt Prize in 1956. A nod to the British sovereign’s commitment to the climate.
