President Xi Jinping of China and President Emmanuel Macron of France met in Beijing for the official welcoming ceremony on April 6, 2023. President Xi Jinping is expected to make a state visit to France on May 6 and 7 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to discuss international crises, including the war in Ukraine. This visit to France comes a year after President Macron’s visit to Beijing and Canton in April 2023. Xi Jinping is scheduled to arrive in Paris on the evening of May 5, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan. They will be received by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron in Paris on May 6, where a state dinner is planned at the Elysée Palace. On May 7, the two couples will visit the Hautes-Pyrénées, where President Macron spent a lot of time in his childhood visiting his maternal grandmother, Germaine Noguès, who passed away in 2013.
The discussions between the two leaders will focus on international crises, such as the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as well as trade issues, scientific, cultural, and sports cooperation, and joint actions on global challenges like climate urgency, biodiversity protection, and the financial situation of the most vulnerable countries. This visit marks the beginning of President Xi Jinping’s first European tour since the Covid-19 pandemic, which had severely restricted China’s interactions with the rest of the world. Following his visit to France, Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Serbia and Hungary from May 8 to May 10. While this visit is expected to be highly political, with no major contracts anticipated, Emmanuel Macron hopes to attract new Chinese investments, particularly in electric batteries.
Chinese authorities have officially maintained neutrality on the conflict in Ukraine and called for a peaceful solution, but they have not condemned Russia’s invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin, a close partner of China, is also expected to visit China in May. Last year, Emmanuel Macron urged Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to reason” regarding Ukraine and to bring all parties to the negotiating table. However, diplomatic progress on the Russo-Ukrainian front has been limited. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked President Xi to pressure Moscow to end its “reckless campaign” in Ukraine, while expressing support for a peace conference scheduled in Switzerland in June. Xi Jinping also met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling on the U.S. to be partners rather than rivals and expressing concerns about China’s support for Russia in Ukraine.
In the past, Xi Jinping hosted Emmanuel Macron in Canton for a tea ceremony in the residence of the governor of Guangdong province, where Xi’s father, Xi Zhongxun, had lived from 1978 to 1981 during his tenure. President Macron’s visit to China aimed to seek Xi Jinping’s support on the Ukrainian crisis, but concrete gestures were not made. The upcoming visit to France presents an opportunity for the two leaders to deepen their discussions on international issues and cooperation, despite the complexities involved in navigating the global political landscape. All eyes will be on the interactions between Xi Jinping and Macron as they strive to address pressing challenges and promote peace and stability in a rapidly changing world.
