Tazeen Akhtar
President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Europe starting from France and followed by Serbia and Hungary from 5 to 10 May is the most crucial visit of any head of state to another region in the 4 months of 2024 and it is likely to retain the same status through the year as well because it is deciding how China and EU will go on highly strategic issues in the World, Ukraine and Palestine (Gaza).
It is the first visit of President Xi to Europe in last 5 years. Earlier Xi visited EU in March 2019 starting from France at that time also. It shows that China and France together can promote bilateral understanding on the burning issues of the present day World.
It is the first visit after Corona Pandemic. It is known to all that US and allied EU including France continuously alleged China for spread of Corona that China denied always with proofs and arguments.
President’s visit to France alone carries huge significance because France is one of few main countries having a leading role in European Union. President Macron is expecting some improvement in terms of bilateral trade. President Xi will surely be responding on that subject. But the second priority point for President Macron , Ukraine , may not get the result expected by French leader for known reason.
President Macron, after the meeting, shared ,” France hopes China’s influence on Moscow would help to move Russia towards ending the war in Ukraine.” But it is hard to stop Russia at the present status of the war where Russia has already rejected peace formula of President Zelensky and Mr. Putin is not ready to recognize Donetsk and Luhensk as Ukrainian states. Russian occupation of Crimean peninsula is another big obstacle in the restoration of peace between two countries.
Another side worth watching is the presence of President European Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen in the meeting of President Xi with French counterpart. France is the President of European Council. Dialogue with European Union is another attraction for almost whole world in general while for Ukraine and Palestine in particular. France is the main state in European Union that means if France gets something on Ukraine from President Xi , the same will be the achievement of EU as well. But it looks near to impossible.
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President Macron said, ” We welcome the Chinese authorities’ commitments to refrain from selling any weapons or aid” and to “strictly control” sales of products and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.”
It is not any achievement for France or EU in a sense that it is the constant policy of China not to indulge in any conflict by supporting any side. As President Xi said that history tells us the every conflict comes to end through negotiations. Xi called upon all parties to restore contacts and start dialogue.
China claims neutrality on Ukraine Russia but Europe considers China near to Russia on what is happening in the east Europe. President Putin is about to visit China next month. President Macron visited two countries of Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan few months ago. This visit was not only on bilateral relations only but the focus was on gathering support of former states of former USSR.
France and European Union are standing on 180 degree of how China looks two conflicts. Many international observers find France and EU following the double standards. The experts question the rational of EU behind extending support to Israel and condemning Russia.If Russia is aggressor , Israel is committing Genocide of Gazans. International Court of Justice even ruled that. UN Security Council passed resolutions by latest against ongoing attacks and called for ceasefire but Israel is always ignoring the international appeals as well as rules, regulations and resolutions.
After a bitter row on Corona , now East Europe and East Middle are the major challenges to China – EU relations. The visit of Chinese President is the first step to deal the issues in the bilateral as well as international interests. China, having trade and economic linkages in the whole world is more interested in the end of conflicts and peace building. President Xi’s second consecutive European tour speaks itself that China is ready to build bridges.
President EU Commission praised China to stop Putin from his Nuclear designs or threats only whatever. But she was not happy with China’s trade policies especially about the increase in the production of subsidized items that have flooded the EU market. Macron was also critical at this point. Both expressed their hope that China will review the trade barriers and open the market reciprocally.
President EU Commission went to the last resort here that was neither diplomatic nor dignified. She said, ” The EU would not waver from taking steps to protect its economy and security and “stands ready to make full use of our trade defense instruments if this is necessary.”
What China will do in this regard depends upon how President Xi Jinping takes the statement of Ms Ursula and how he concludes the visit after 10 May but the threat or warning from EU Commission President was surely highly awkward and arrogant on this occasion. It can not help better the situation between China and EU. The trust level does not seem to be improving if EU side continue siding China with Russia and treating China like Russia.
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