What's happened
Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on his first European tour in five years, visiting France, Serbia, and Hungary. The visit is aimed at bolstering economic ties, countering US influence, and promoting a multipolar world order.
Why it matters
Xi Jinping's European tour holds significance as it seeks to mend strained relations with Europe, counter US narratives, and promote China's global influence. The visit could impact trade dynamics, geopolitical alliances, and the balance of power between major world players.
What the papers say
According to The Japan Times, Xi Jinping's tour aims to drive a wedge between Europe and the US, while the New York Times highlights tensions over China's support for Russia and trade practices. The Independent underscores the importance of Xi's visit in the context of growing US-China rivalry and European concerns over Chinese power.
How we got here
Xi Jinping's visit comes amidst escalating tensions between China and the West over various issues, including China's support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, trade practices, and espionage allegations. The tour reflects China's efforts to strengthen ties with European nations and expand its global influence.
Common question
More on these topics
-
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
-
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
-
Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 km².