Emmanuel Macron welcomes Xi Jinping to strengthen EU-China relations | News from the world

Emmanuel Macron launched a charm offensive against his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, speaking of multilateralism and cooperation while remaining on topics such as human rights.

At a three-day bilateral meeting in France, the French President took unprecedented initiative to invite German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to Paris for interviews.

The French government has called it a "high level meeting on the challenges of multilateralism". Officials said that Merkel and Juncker's presence during the state visit was unprecedented.

The four leaders focused on the desire for increased cooperation between the EU and China at a press conference held afterwards. They also acknowledged that they were rivals and that there was concern over unfair competition and ongoing coordination on climate change.

Macron wants to strengthen the EU's ties with China while creating a more level playing field for trade. The French president thanked Xi for his support in the fight against climate change, but also urged his Chinese counterpart to "respect the unity of the European Union and the values ​​it conveys. in the world".

Xi replied that a prosperous EU matched China's vision of a multipolar world and said the two were progressing together despite suspicions.

While Macron was talking, he frequently turned to Xi for an answer. Xi stared straight ahead, expressionless, apparently listening to the translation. When Juncker, photographed, joined Xi's hands warmly as he stood on the steps of the Elysee Tuesday, the Chinese leader turned to him.

Juncker said: "China and Europe must and can do great things together. We are strategic partners and, of course, rivals, but the competition between us is a good thing. The chairman of the commission has lagged behind, urging Beijing to give EU companies the same access to Chinese markets that Chinese companies enjoy from its market.

Earlier, Xi said that France and China should build their relationship on "mutual trust, concrete cooperation and friendly feelings". In his speech, he acknowledged that there was competition between the EU and China and that it was positive.

He spoke of "win-win outcomes" among countries exploring ways to hear each other, based on "independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit". He added that China needed a united and prosperous Europe and urged it to adopt a coherent strategy in its relations with Beijing.

Xi's belt and road initiative is causing concern in Europe, with a Chinese plan for infrastructure development and investment in 152 countries that Beijing says will improve regional connections. Others see it as an incentive for China to dominate world affairs.

Xi started his six-day trip to Europe with a visit to Italy, followed by Monaco and France.

Monday, Beijing and Paris have signed agreements worth about 40 billion dollars. China has announced the purchase of 290 A320s and 10 A350s from the European consortium Airbus.

François Godement, senior adviser for Asia at the Montaigne Institute, a Paris-based think-tank, said Macron's appeal to the representatives of Germany and the EU to participate in the bilateral visit was unprecedented, but in line with its commitment to strengthen EU integration and reform.

"This meeting is also a response to the very stubborn bilateralism of China and aims to demonstrate a coordinated European stance," said Godement to the South China Morning Post.

France and Germany lobbied for the EU to adopt policies to help European companies compete with China. The recently released EU Strategy Paper, a 16-page EU-China Strategic Outlook, urges the EU to recognize China as an economic competitor and to "adapt to changing economic realities and strengthen its own national policies and its industrial base ".

Federica Mogherini, head of the EU's foreign policy, told reporters that the bloc's stance on China was "very complex and balanced," but added that "China is also a competitor in some areas and that the Member States of the European Union also have a great need to defend their interests, in particular as regards security or key infrastructures ".

An EU-China summit will be held in Brussels on 9 April.