(Dan Tri) – Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the China-France relationship as an international model amid increasing trade disputes with the European Union (EU).
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Orly airport, south of Paris on May 5 (Photo: Reuters).
According to Reuters, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris and was welcomed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the airport on May 5.
In a statement, Mr. Xi Jinping emphasized that the relationship between China and France is `a model for the international community of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries with different social systems.`
This is a rare visit by the Chinese leader to France in the context of increasing trade tensions between China and the European Union (EU).
France is backing a European Union investigation into Chinese electric vehicle exports.
During this visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen on May 6.
President Macron is expected to urge Mr. Xi to reduce the trade imbalance between the two countries, and use the Chinese leader’s influence with Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
`We want to achieve reciprocity and take into account our economic security factors,` Macron said in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune ahead of Xi’s two-day visit.
The 27 EU members – especially France and Germany – have different views on their stance towards China.
`In Europe, we are not unanimous on this topic because some countries still see China as essentially a market full of opportunities,` Mr. Macron said.
France will also seek to make progress in opening the Chinese market to the country’s agricultural exports, officials said, while also addressing concerns surrounding the French cosmetics industry.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said China could announce an order for about 50 Airbus aircraft during Xi Jinping’s visit, but it remained uncertain whether this would be a new deal.
France also wants to push China to put pressure on Russia to stop military activities in Ukraine.
During this trip to Europe, President Xi Jinping plans to visit France, Serbia and Hungary.