We are now closing this blog but you can read our story on the trade talks between Xi, Macron and Von der Leyen here.
Summary of the day
Xi Jinping lauded China’s ties with France as a model for the international community as he arrived in Paris amid threats of a trade war over Chinese electric cars and French cognac.
On his first visit to the EU in five years, China’s president met his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen told Xi that both Europe and China have an interest “in the effective functioning of the rules-based international order” but also raised challenges linked to “state-induced overcapacity, unequal market access and overdependencies.”
Macron said there’s a need to ensure a level playing field for all actors and that the international situation makes EU-China dialogue more important than ever.
Xi told Macron and von der Leyen that as “two important forces in the world both of us should adhere to the position of partnership, adhere to dialogue and cooperation.”
Von der Leyen said the “imbalances” caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-cost products threaten jobs in Europe and that “is a matter of great concern.” She also said “Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security.”
Ahead of Xi’s visit, Human Rights Watch called on Macron to “stand firm on rights in China.”
Reports Without Borders protested in Paris over the imprisonment of journalists in China.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European parliament and the lead socialist candidate in France in the upcoming EU elections, urged Macron to be “firm” against China and “not to remain silent in the face of the crimes” against the Uyghurs.
The European Commission announced today that after over six years, it will withdraw the so-called Article 7 rule of law sanctions proceedings against Poland.
