Xi Jinping was able to observe on Monday May 6, at the start of his state visit to France, a new firmness displayed by Europeans in the face of accumulating trade tensions. The Chinese president also provided more consensual support for the “ Olympic Truce » defended by Emmanuel Macron. Here are the main issues discussed during the first day of the Chinese president’s state visit to France.
For the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, the Chinese president was welcomed in Paris Emmanuel Macron who still hopes to position his country as “ balance power » in the face of the Sino-American standoff. Welcome with fanfare at the Invalides, red carpet and banquet at the Élysée: for his first European tour since 2019, the number one of the Asian superpower was entitled to every respect.
• Firm exchanges between Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen and Xi Jinping on trade
Xi Jinping And Emmanuel Macronjoined at the start of the day by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, have not tried to hide the tensions which are accumulating on trade. Emmanuel Macron explained that he wanted to raise “ in all friendship and trust ” THE “ concerns, to try to overcome them “, calling for trade rules “ fair “.
L’European Union “ will not hesitate to make firm decisions ” For ” protect its economy and security », Underlined Ursula von der Leyen. She was present to display a united continental front on trade issues, even if Germany is often accused of going it alone to preserve its car exports to the world’s second largest economy.
The head of the European executive had previously warned that Europe could not “ not accept ” THE ” unfair trade ” caused by the influx of electric vehicles or Chinese steel made using ” massive subsidies “.
“ The so-called “problem of overcapacity of the China” does not exist “, Xi Jinping responded dryly, believing that “ China’s new energy industry » allowed on the contrary “ to increase global supply and ease global inflation pressure “.
Threatened to be caught between the American and Chinese economies – massively aided by public authorities – the European Union has in recent months increased investigations into Chinese state subsidies to several industrial sectors, particularly electric vehicles. In Beijing, European measures are considered “protectionist”. Chinese authorities have launched their own anti-subsidy investigation mainly targeting French cognac.
Emmanuel Macron also opportunely offered his guest bottles of the Charentais spirit, before congratulating himself, in front of the press, on the “ wish “Chinese not to impose customs taxes” provisional » immediately. Pleading for “ a framework of fair competition », he assured that the discussion had made it possible to “ clarify »disagreements « to clean up the economic relationship and give it new impetus “.
• Several contracts in energy, finance and transport
Several commercial contracts between French and Chinese companies were signed on Monday. Among the announcements is a contract for Suez to build a factory intended to produce energy from sludge from around fifty sewage treatment plants in southern China, for nearly 100 million euros.
The railway manufacturer Alstom has also obtained contracts to supply electric traction systems for metro lines in Beijing, Wuhan and Hefei.
On the financial side, the insurer Groupama will create a joint venture with Shudao Group “ on green finance “.
Other commercial contracts announced are at less committed stages, for example between Schneider Electric and electric vehicle charging points with a view to creating a joint venture, or between Crédit Agricole and Bank of China for “ facilitate their joint operations “.
Earlier in the day, the French Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, had called for a “ balanced and solid economic partnership ” enter here France and China, again far » to be reached today to the detriment of Paris, according to him.
France had a trade deficit of around 46 billion euros with China in 2023, while that of the European Union reached around 300 billion euros.
• The war in Ukraine
During a tête-à-tête, which he will repeat on Tuesday during a more personal getaway in the Pyrenees, Emmanuel Macron was able to address in more depth the Russian invasion ofUkraine. After calling for coordination “ decisive » on this sensitive issue, Emmanuel Macron welcomed “ the engagements » Chinese « to refrain from selling any weapons » in Moscow, and in « strictly control the export of dual-use goods » which can be used for military purposes.
While Xi Jinping must soon welcome his Russian counterpart Vladimir Poutineof which he remains the main ally, the French president welcomed a “ moment of coordination » which will allow “ identify the desire or not to move towards this lasting peace » that Paris and Beijing are calling for.
France wants to at least ensure that China, Moscow’s main ally, does not fall into clear support for its war effort against kyiv. Or even “ encourage him to use the levers » which she has on Vladimir Putin for “ contribute to a resolution of this conflict “, according to the Élysée, which nevertheless says it is ” lucid » on the fact that no breakthrough can be expected overnight. The Chinese president defended his “ positive role » to find a political solution, and called not to “ dirty » China through the Ukrainian issue.
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• A ” Olympic Truce »
Xi Jinping also publicly called, together with Emmanuel Macron, “ to a truce throughout the world on the occasion of Olympic Games from Paris » from July 26 to August 11.
According to a French diplomatic source, this truce could serve, with regard to Ukraine, to initiate a more political process, even if Western demands (Russian withdrawal and respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity) remain unchanged. Xi Jinping continues to show his support for Russia, and will visit France after Serbia and in Hungarytwo countries that have remained close to Moscow.
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• The granting of visas for Chinese on business trips or facilitated tourism
The issuance of circulation visas for Chinese business travelers, such as multiple-entry short-stay visas, will be ” facilitated “. This is what Matignon indicates ahead of an interministerial tourism committee around Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Tuesday.
This measure will allow these people to enter and leave French territory for various trade fairs and business meetings without having to request a visa at each entry. And, on the other hand, “ continue to develop partnerships with local economic players » (chambers of commerce, professional federations, etc.), specified the Prime Minister’s services.
“ Instructions » were given to the consular network so that it grants “ priority treatment » to this audience and “ exchanges are underway » with the France-Visas program, « in order to better identify » these visa applications. The entry and processing of visa applications from Chinese tourist groups on the France-Visas platform will also be “ facilities » from the first half of 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in Paris the extension for one year, until the end of 2025, of the short tourist visa exemption for French people wishing to travel to the Asian country. This measure allows tourism in China without a visa for stays not exceeding 15 days. It was initially launched last year as “ experimental » for the period from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.
• Human rights
On the sensitive issue of human rights, Emmanuel Macron warned that he preferred to discuss “ disagreements ” instead ” behind closed doors “. Several thousand Tibetans, according to their representatives, demonstrated on Sunday in Paris against the visit of Xi Jinping to France, “ human rights country ” that welcomes ” a dictator “. Uyghurs also gathered in Paris.
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