CHINESE President XI FAILED VISIT TO FRANCE AND EUROPE

XI posed as ‘ruler of world’ while Europeans 'begged' a solution for Ukraine 

President Xi Jinping of China received a lavish welcome during his three-day visit to France, with President Emmanuel Macron playing host. It is intriguing that while President Vladimir Putin of Russia is widely vilified in France and Europe, President Xi is seen as a respectable figure whom France should engage with. However, the reality is that Xi is not fundamentally different from Putin in terms of how they treat minorities or the level of freedom in their respective countries. Yet, Europeans tend to overlook China's dark side and remain fascinated by the country, even though it has indirectly aided Russia in surviving US and European sanctions.

 

France, unlike India, has struggled to establish a balanced relationship with both Russia and China. President Macron's motivation for hosting Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan with grandeur, including red carpets in Paris and even in the Pyrenees mountains, raises questions. France seems to have a short memory when it comes to its political leadership. For instance, few remember when French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve proudly inaugurated a high-security virology laboratory in Wuhan, China in 2017. This investment did not prevent the subsequent disaster, but it did indicate the level of trust between France and China. 

During Macron's first state visit to China in 2018, he emphasized the potential for cooperation between China and Europe, while also warning about concerns regarding China's unfair trade practices. However, the situation has only worsened since then, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan. Despite the need for acceptance from the world, the Chinese leadership has remained firm in its support of Putin and Russia.

 

Macron has expressed his desire to play a role in the Ukrainian conflict, even considering the possibility of sending ground troops. However, it appears unlikely that he can influence Beijing due to China's own interests with Russia. Macron's recent meeting with Xi Jinping did not yield significant progress, and China only agreed to limited import concessions from France while dashing European hopes for a major Airbus plane order.

 

While Macron may have wanted to showcase his diplomatic skills ahead of the European elections, his efforts were met with protests from activists advocating for the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other oppressed groups in China. The visit did not bring substantial gains, but France continues to foster relations with India through the "Choose France Forum," aiming to attract Indian investments and strengthen the partnership between the two nations.

 

In summary, President Xi Jinping's visit to France highlighted the divided European approach to dealing with China. Despite his longstanding ties with Macron, Xi made few concessions on issues such as Chinese imports flooding the European Union or the Ukrainian crisis. However, the visit likely provided a temporary respite for Xi from the pressures he faces in Beijing.