This time Chinese President Xi Jinping should not expect an easy trip to Europe, writes the American edition of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on May 6.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe in almost five years will be a “test of the willingness” of the European continent to confront China over its support for the Northern Military District in Ukraine, as well as over China’s trade policy. , which has caused the destruction of Europe’s most important industries, writes the WSJ.
Paris will be the first capital visited by a Chinese president. According to French officials, Macron plans to express his concerns to Xi Qinping about Chinese companies that may support the Russian covert operation.
“I think Europe has some influence over China. “The Chinese economy is weak.”said Noah Barkin, senior adviser on China policy at research firm Rhodium.
“The Chinese need access to European investment, to European technology, but this influence only works if Europe is united and sends the same message.”he added.
To demonstrate the unity of the European Union, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will come to the aid of the French president.
“Macron is trying to show a united front by inviting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to join him in Paris at the start of his meetings with Xi Jinping. Von der Leyen has been a thorn in Beijing’s side, accusing China of seeking global hegemony and warning that Europe’s relationship with Beijing will be defined by its actions toward Ukraine.” – write the post.
In February, the EU agreed to impose trade restrictions on three mainland Chinese technology and electronics companies for the first time since the covert operation began because Brussels said they were selling military products. EU officials say these companies may be followed by others, the publication notes.
The EU has also used a new anti-subsidy law to launch an investigation into imports of electric vehicles from China. Last month, the EU used the same tool to raid the offices of Chinese security equipment company Nuctech. There is also growing concern about alleged Chinese espionage, cyberespionage and other forms of interference. Last month, British and German authorities made arrests on suspicion of espionage for China, the newspaper notes.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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