Xi and Macron to hold talks as France seeks EU unity on China

PARIS: Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron were due to hold talks in Paris with the host leader seeking to forge a united European front to contend with Beijing’s advances.

Xi’s visit to Paris will mark 55 years since Charles de Gaulle established diplomatic relations China.

Cooperation deals on nuclear power, aerospace and clean energy, some involving lucrative contracts, are expected to be signed.

Macron and Xi will be joined today by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to explore “points of convergence” ahead of an EU-China summit in Brussels next month.

“Very happy to welcome President Xi Jinping and his wife to France,” Macron wrote in a tweet on Sunday.

“This visit will strengthen our strategic partnership and affirm the role of France, Europe and China towards a strong multi-lateralism.”

Amid tight security, the Chinese and French first couples on Sunday evening enjoyed a private dinner at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Nice on the French Riviera.

Xi, who has made a priority of establishing China as a global player, travelled from Italy, whose government became the first G7 state to sign up to his new “Silk Road” infrastructure project, a massive undertaking to join Asia to Europe.

Washington and some EU states fear the huge project will give China too much sway, but Xi says it would be a two-way street of investment and trade.