Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived late Monday morning at the Elysée for the official start of his two-day state visit to France, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. .
He was welcomed by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in the main courtyard of the presidential palace where the Republican Guard had been deployed. The two men must immediately have a first meeting in the presence of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who has come to address in particular the numerous trade disputes with Beijing.
The French president called in front of his Chinese counterpart for “fair rules for all” in trade between Europe and China.
“The future of our continent will also very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner,” he said at the Elysée at the opening of this three-way meeting. He added that “coordination” with Beijing on the “major crises” in Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive.”
Strengthen their “strategic coordination”
For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping pleaded for his country and the European Union (EU) to strengthen their “strategic coordination” and remain “partners”, against a backdrop of multiple disputes, from trade to human rights.
“As two major world powers, China and the EU should remain partners, continue dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, consolidate strategic consensus and carry out strategic coordination.” Xi Jinping said at the start of a trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.