PARIS: Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to embark on a state visit to France on May 6 and 7, marking his first European tour since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, following President Macron’s visit to Beijing and Guangzhou in April 2023.
During his visit, President Xi is expected to visit Paris and the department of Hautes-Pyrenees in southwestern France. Subsequently, he will proceed to Hungary from May 8 to 10.
The discussions between President Xi and President Macron are anticipated to cover a range of international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Additionally, talks will focus on trade matters, scientific, cultural, and sporting cooperation.
Both leaders will explore joint actions to address global challenges, with a particular emphasis on climate change, biodiversity protection, and improving the financial situation of vulnerable countries.
China’s growing economic cooperation and diplomatic ties with Russia, especially in light of the conflict in Ukraine, will likely be scrutinized during the visit. While Beijing maintains neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, criticism has been directed at China for its perceived support of Russia.
Following his visit to France, President Xi will travel to Hungary, where significant Chinese investments, particularly in battery and electric vehicle manufacturing, have been observed in recent years. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s advocacy for an “Eastern opening” foreign policy has led to closer economic relations with China and other Asian countries.
Orban’s vision for a “sovereignist world” emphasizes mutual benefit in global trade and building networks of connections to mitigate unilateral dependencies. This perspective aligns with Hungary’s participation in initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road initiative, where Orban was the sole EU leader to attend the summit last October.
