Xi Jinping Visits Europe After 5 Years... Tells Macron "Opposed to Provoking a New Cold War"

Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting France on a state visit and returning to Europe for the first time in five years, stated that he "opposes using the Ukraine war to fuel a new Cold War."

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 7th, on the afternoon of the 6th (local time), President Xi made these remarks during a press conference held after a summit meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the ?lys?e Palace in Paris. Xi said, "We support an international peace conference at an appropriate time, recognized and equally participated in by both Russia and Ukraine, to enable balanced discussions," adding, "As a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and a responsible global power, China, together with France, proposes an initiative to declare a global ceasefire on the occasion of the Olympics."

[Image source= Xinhua News Agency]

Regarding the ongoing trade disputes with the European Union (EU), he emphasized, "We oppose the politicization, ideological division, and globalization of trade issues," expressing hope that the two sides will become core partners in economic and trade cooperation. He stressed, "China always regards France as a preferred and trustworthy cooperative partner," and added, "The two countries should jointly defend mutual interests and oppose decoupling and disruptions to industry and supply chains." He also expressed hope that "France will export more advanced and high value-added products to China."

President Macron spoke about China's role concerning the Ukraine war. He explained, "Considering the complex history, we welcome China's commitment to refrain from selling weapons or providing aid to Moscow and to strictly control the export of dual-use goods that could be used for military purposes." Regarding trade issues, he added, "The EU's trade policy is not intended to create tensions," and "France hopes to export more agricultural products to China while maintaining market openness toward China."

President Xi's visit to France is his third since taking office in 2013 and his first visit to Europe in five years. That evening, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, attended a state banquet held at the ?lys?e Palace. The banquet was attended by famous actress Gong Li and her husband Jean-Michel Jarre, Bernard Arnault, chairman of the world's largest luxury goods company Louis Vuitton Mo?t Hennessy (LVMH), and his eldest daughter Delphine Arnault, among other business figures.

President Macron presented Xi with two bottles of Cognac, a rare edition of works by the famous writer Victor Hugo, and glass bottles as gifts. Xi prepared and delivered French-language books published in China and a painting.