France: Behind the scenes of the Chinese President’s trip to Paris
After a prolonged absence due to the Covid pandemic and China’s strategic isolation, Xi Jinping has returned to France. His arrival at Orly Airport on Sunday afternoon, welcomed by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, marks the beginning of a two-day visit spanning Paris and the Hautes-Pyrénées. This visit comes a year after Emmanuel Macron’s reciprocal trip to Beijing and Canton in April 2023.
Amidst commemorative celebrations of an anniversary in their diplomatic ties, the international landscape takes center stage once more in discussions between the two leaders.
With the backdrop of China’s burgeoning relationship with Moscow amidst the Ukrainian conflict and the turmoil in Gaza, the geopolitical agenda is teeming with complexities.
The simmering tensions in the South China Sea further underscore the intricate dynamics between China and the United States.
Highlighting the global significance of these talks, the French presidency has extended an invitation to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to participate in Monday morning’s deliberations with the Chinese president.
Notably absent will be Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, whose presence was initially hoped for to recreate the quadrilateral meeting of 2019, which included Angela Merkel and Jean-Claude Juncker alongside Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron.
France perceives China as a pivotal actor capable of exerting substantial influence on Russia, particularly in safeguarding the interests of Ukraine.
While refraining from overt criticism of Vladimir Putin and financially supporting Russia’s military endeavors, both the Chinese government and its corporate entities represent significant leverage that could aid Ukraine’s allies, including France and Europe as a whole.
Paris is keen on leveraging this influence to push for a resolution to the ongoing conflicts, guided by the diplomatic strategies outlined by the Élysée.
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Neil Camara
