Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping went to the Pyrenees on Tuesday, May 7, to the Col du Tourmalet, the legendary climb of the Tour de France, on the second day of the Chinese president’s state visit, for a getaway ” personal » supposed to allow a more direct dialogue on the war in Ukraine or trade disagreements.
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After the gold of the Élysée, the snow of the peaks. The panorama must have been exceptional, but it was with a snowstorm that Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Chinese president at the Col du Tourmalet, reports our special correspondent at the Col du Tourmalet, Charlotte Urien-Tomaka.
Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcomed Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at Tarbes-Lourdes airport in windy weather, before separately driving to the Col du Tourmalet, where there was thick fog.
“ Our French mountains […] I hope will continue to inspire us “, the French president had lyrically launched the day before, Monday, welcoming his Chinese counterpart to Paris for the first time since 2019. He said he expected, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, “ fruitful and friendly discussions “.
The Élysée advisors presented this meeting at altitude as an opportunity to move away from protocol and facilitate face-to-face exchanges, the day after a more formal first day in Paris.
This corner of the mountain is “ directly linked to the very personal story » by Emmanuel Macron, explains those around him. The one who celebrates the seven years of his first election this Tuesday, spent many holidays between the town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre and La Mongie with his grandparents to whom he was very attached.
“ I’m going to talk about your ham in China »
After attending a traditional dance show, under umbrellas, with flute and accordion, the two leaders, their wives and translators, shared a typically Pyrenean meal – ham, lamb, cheese, blueberry tart – at the Etape du Berger, a restaurant in the village of La Mongie where the grandmother of the French head of state rests.
It is also through sharing our personal stories that our relationships take shape.
Very happy to welcome you at the Col du Tourmalet in these Hautes-Pyrénées which are so dear to me, President XI Jinping, as you welcomed me in Canton. pic.twitter.com/VZuu7xJw2Y
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 7, 2024
L’Étape du Berger is run by Éric Abadie. “ We’ve been friends for 35 years », Explains Emmanuel Macron to Xi Jinping. “ Thanks again for being there. » For the aperitif, platters of cold meats and cheeses are served. “ Do you want white wine or red wine? », asks Brigitte Macron. The two men even abandoned their ties to show a certain closeness, notes our special correspondent.
“ I’m going to talk about your ham in China », Promises the Chinese President. In short, smiles and polite exchanges to strengthen the relationship, rejoices the Élysée.
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Armagnac offered to Xi Jinping
“ I know yesterday was your mom’s birthdaylance, jovial, Emmanuel Macron. We prepared several gifts for him with views of the Peak and the valley. » Emmanuel Macron thus offers a wool blanket from the Pyrenees for the mother of the Chinese president, notes our special correspondent, but also a yellow jersey autographed by the last winner of the Tour de France which passed at the very top of the Col du Tourmalet.
Armagnac is also offered to Xi Jinping – a highly symbolic gift since this alcohol from the southwest is the subject, like cognac and all spirits of theEuropean Unionof an investigation by Chinese authorities for alleged competition violations, recalls Reuters.
Many see this investigation as a response to the European Union’s investigation into subsidies for electric vehicles produced in China.
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In 2023, Xi Jinping also invited Emmanuel Macron for a more intimate visit. They had shared a tea ceremony in Guangzhou at the official residence where the Chinese president’s father had lived when he was governor of Guangdong province.
Reactions to this informal visit
The Socialist candidate for the European elections in June Raphaël Glucksmann denounced the “ friendly tone » of this official visit. “ The man who deports Uighurswho represses Hong Kongers and Tibetans is not our friend “, he declared on RTL radio. This Tuesday, the Élysée indicates “ The president raised the issue of human rights yesterday (Monday), he expressed his attention to this and to some individual cases. »
His right-wing opponent, François-Xavier Bellamy (Les Républicains) also pointed out on the LCI channel the “ interference » of Beijing and its “ aggressive strategy to bring down our economy “.
The head of the Macronist list Valérie Hayer defended the desire of the Head of State to speak to his Chinese counterpart, calling for her wishes, on France 2, “ a direct and frank dialogue on all subjects “.