When Xi Jinping arrived in Italy for a state visit in 2019, he was given a lavish welcome, with private tours of Roman landmarks and a dinner serenaded by opera singer Andrea Bocelli, topped with a crowning flourish – Italy’s decision to join Xi’s signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

French President Emmanuel Macron was on Monday set to warn Chinese leader Xi Jinping against backing Russia in the conflict over Ukraine but also seek to enlist his help in finding an end to the war.Xi is making a state visit to France marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and China.

On his first visit to Europe in five years, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, appears intent on seizing opportunities to loosen the continent’s bonds with the United States and forge a world freed of American dominance.

China’s relationship with France should be a model for the world, said President Xi Jinping as he landed in Paris on Sunday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday arrived in France on a state visit hosted by Emmanuel Macron where the French leader will seek to push his counterpart on issues ranging from Ukraine to trade.

Xi Jinping, China’s leader, arrived in France yesterday on his first trip to Europe in five years. He will also visit Serbia and Hungary.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in France on Sunday, 5 May, the first of a series of visits to European countries scheduled for 5-10 May. Source: European Pravda, with reference to CCTV, Chinese state television Details: Xi arrived in Paris at 15:40 local time and was greeted by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

China’s president arrives as EU anti-subsidy investigations and tensions over espionage, Ukraine and Taiwan continue

France is Chinese president’s first stop on Europe trip, and Beijing is pinning its hopes on Paris to push Brussels to adopt more ‘positive and pragmatic’ approach to China-EU ties.