Chinese President Xi Jinping is embarking on a significant diplomatic tour of Europe this week, marking his first visit to the continent in five years. His itinerary includes stops in France, Serbia, and Hungary, highlighting China’s efforts to strengthen ties with key European nations amid growing tensions over trade and accusations of espionage.
President Xi’s visit comes at a critical juncture, with Europe grappling with various challenges in its relationship with China, including disagreements over China’s support for Russia during the conflict in Ukraine, trade disputes, and concerns about Chinese espionage activities. This visit will test Europe’s ability to maintain a delicate balance between its relations with China and the United States.
During his trip, President Xi aims to address potential trade conflicts with the European Union, particularly regarding Chinese exports of electric vehicles and market access for European companies in China. He will also encourage French President Emmanuel Macron to pursue greater autonomy from the United States, potentially weakening Washington’s global dominance.
The choice of destinations for President Xi’s visit holds significance, as all three countries have shown varying degrees of alignment with China’s vision for a redefined global order. Hungary and Serbia, in particular, have fostered close ties with Beijing and are eager to attract Chinese investments in key sectors like electric car and battery manufacturing.
In France, President Xi will engage with President Macron, who has emphasized Europe’s need to assert its independence from both China and the United States. Despite France’s efforts to strengthen ties with China, President Macron has reiterated his alignment with the United States, emphasizing that France remains closer to its American allies.
President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission will join discussions with President Xi and President Macron in Paris, underscoring the importance of the visit for EU-China relations. Additionally, this year marks significant anniversaries in China’s diplomatic history with France and Hungary, further enhancing the symbolic significance of the trip.
President Xi’s last visit to Europe was in 2019, during which he focused on expanding China’s influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road global infrastructure project. Since then, however, tensions between China and Europe have escalated due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s alignment with Russia, and concerns about human rights abuses.
Despite these challenges, Europe remains divided in its approach to engaging with China, with some countries advocating for a more confrontational stance, while others seek to capitalize on economic opportunities. Moving forward, the relationship between Europe and China will continue to evolve, shaped by geopolitical dynamics and economic interests.
