Macron charms Xi in bid for open markets

EMMANUEL MACRON dined with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, at a lavish Riviera villa last night as the French leader stepped up attempts to convince Beijing to grant European companies greater access to its markets.

Mr Macron has said China must make concessions to win Western support for its plan to create a 21st century Silk Road: a multi-billion-pound network of economic and business ties.

The French president has toughened his rhetoric towards Beijing, stressing that the belt and road infrastructure project “cannot be a one-way road”.

His elaborate welcome for Mr Xi was meticulously planned. The venue was built in the early 20th century in the Ancient Greek style, underlining “the historical importance of the Mediterranean as the cradle of Western civilisation”, a spokesman said, adding: “Historical depth and long-term vision are very important to the Chinese.”

Mr Macron is no stranger to grand diplomatic gestures. When he visited Beijing last year, he gave Mr Xi, a horselover, a thoroughbred from the Republican Guard stables. His gift this time was a 17th century French translation of the teachings of Confucius.

A French diplomatic source said: “Underlying the charm there is a new European resolve. Macron’s message to Xi is simple: if you want access to our markets, you must open yours.”

On Tuesday, Mr Macron will team up with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and Jean-claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, to try to impress on Mr Xi the trade benefits of a level playing field.

They are concerned that China may try to foster divisions within Europe in its drive to spread its influence.