Chinese President Xi Jinping on Europe tour for the first time in 5 years. Chinese President Xi Jinping is leaving for Europe today after five years. There is a lot of discussion about his tour, but except in the host countries. When Xi Jinping arrived in Italy for a state visit in 2019, he was given a grand welcome.
During this time he took private tours of Roman sites and opera singer Andrea Bocelli hosted a dinner in Xi Jinping’s honor. This was the same visit when Italy had announced to join Xi’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, Italy has now distanced itself from BRI.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on Sunday for a state visit to France. pic.twitter.com/XWb7TrHtjE
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 5, 2024
Now, five years after that incident, Xi Jinping is once again going on a tour of Europe, but this time the atmosphere is completely different. But, views about China have changed dramatically across the continent. Jinping will reach France on the first leg of his six-day Europe tour. In just the past weeks, the EU has launched an investigation into China’s purchases of wind turbines and medical equipment.
They have raided the offices of Chinese security equipment maker NewTek as part of an investigation into trade subsidies. In recent days, Germany and the United Kingdom also arrested or charged at least six people for alleged espionage and China-related crimes.
Experts believe Xi Jinping has an opportunity to woo his critics through this trip with stops in France, Serbia and Hungary. But, it shows that even as views are hardening in some parts of Europe, others still welcome China with open arms. China is reportedly keen to work with Europe on the trade imbalance. But, this will bring bad times for its faltering economy. China also wants to ensure that Europe does not get too close to the US, especially amid uncertainty over the outcome of the upcoming US election.