Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Europe for the first time in five years. The president landed in Europe yesterday for a five-day visit. During his stay, the focus is on France, which under French President Emmanuel Macron is increasingly claiming leadership in Europe. Macron aims to revive ties with China. “Europe needs China,” it sounds. But the Chinese president is said to support Russia, which is at odds with Europe’s position.
In an interview with the French newspaper ‘La Tribune Dimanche’, Macron said he wants to improve relations between Europe and China. In recent years, Europe has become increasingly critical of China. Europe often sees the Chinese as a great power that is disrupting the world order economically and geopolitically. Although Macron normally shares that opinion, Xi’s visit this week seems to be the moment for a charm offensive. “I absolutely do not want to move further away from China,” he said during the interview yesterday. “Whether it concerns climate or security, we need the Chinese.” A renewed view of China is necessary to build a strong bond between Europe and China.
Chinese presence in pro-Russian countries
According to Chinese state media, Xi will also meet European Commission President Von der Leyen in Paris. He will then visit Hungary and European candidate country Serbia. These two countries are characterized by a strong presence of Chinese companies. It is striking that these are also two pro-Russian countries, which sets them apart from the official position of the EU. His visit to Budapest is especially significant because Xi supports the regime of controversial Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The Hungarian leader took a long time to approve the latest European aid package for Ukraine.
Xi, seen as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, is also accused by Western governments of supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war with Ukraine. China would supply technology and war equipment to the Russian military.
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