Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Paris to reinforce ties with France amid discussions on trade, human rights, and sustainability. The visit, his first to Europe in five years, has also sparked concerns among human rights groups and looks to address EU trade imbalances.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is currently visiting Paris, marking his first trip to Europe in five years, during which he seeks to fortify relations with France. His visit has stirred protests from Reporters Without Borders due to concerns about China’s press freedom record. Additionally, Human Rights Watch has urged French President Emmanuel Macron to address human rights issues, pointing to a deterioration under Xi’s leadership.
The discussions between Xi and Macron are set to cover trade tensions, with specific attention on the imbalance in bilateral trade and potential tariffs on Chinese electric cars. This visit coincides with European Union concerns regarding Chinese products, including fears of market dumping in segments like electric vehicles and green energy. Macron’s government is particularly vigilant about Chinese electric vehicle imports, planning to link subsidies with adherence to European environmental standards.
Further, Xi’s visit will involve discussions with European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A key topic will be the strategic autonomy of Europe in its commercial relationships, amid China’s efforts to weaken the transatlantic alliance.
On the trade front, Xi has proposed increased market access for French cosmetics and agricultural products, aiming to satisfy the heightened Chinese consumer demand. There are also ongoing anti-subsidy investigations by the EU into Chinese goods.
Xi’s agenda also emphasizes attracting foreign investment to China, highlighting sectors open for international collaboration and declaring support for Chinese companies investing abroad. His discussions in France are indicative of broader strategies to enhance China’s economic recovery, amidst challenges like the property market slowdown and low consumer demand.
This state visit also features planned meetings to discuss high-tech cooperation, highlighted by high-level interactions with companies like Airbus, reflecting a broader focus on innovation and green development between China and France.
