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State visits by Xi Jinping to France, Serbia and Hungary

From May 5–10, 2024, Chinese President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping made state visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary.[1][2]

State Visit of Xi Jinping to France, Serbia and Hungary
VenueParis, Belgrade and Budapest
Organised by

Background

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See also: 2023 France–China Summit and Budapest–Belgrade railway

In April 2024, Chinese Director of the Office of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi communicated with Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic advisor to the President of France by telephone on a trip for "adding new connotations to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries",[3][4] days ahead of this expected state visits to Europe.[5]

Xi Jinping's trip coincided with the 25th anniversary of the May 7, 1999 United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, and public opinion has focused on China's attitude and actions toward NATO as reflected in the event.[6]

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's chief of staff Gergely Gulyas told a press conference on April 25, 2024, that Xi Jinping will visit Hungary on May 8–10.[7]

Visit

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On the morning of May 5, Xi Jinping left Beijing on a special plane for a state visit to the three countries. Accompanying Xi on the trip were: Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan; Cai Qi (member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee and Director of the CCP General Office), Wang Yi (member of the CCP Politburo and Minister of Foreign Affairs), and others.[8][9]

France

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Main article: China–France relations

On the afternoon of May 5, 2024, Xi arrived in Paris and began his state visit to France.[10]

 
Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, and Xi Jinping at the Elysee Palace in Paris

On May 6, Xi was invited to hold a tripartite meeting of Chinese, French and European leaders with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Von der Leyen at the Elysee Palace in Paris, where the three sides discussed China–European Union relations, China–France relations, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel–Hamas war.[11][12] They were greeted by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and other senior representatives of the French government.[13][14]

In the afternoon, Xi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. Before the talks, Xi presented Macron with the Beijing Olympic Torch (2022 Winter Olympics and 2008 Summer Olympics) and Macron returning the favor with the Paris Olympic Torch as state gifts.[15]

Xi also attended the closing ceremony of the sixth meeting of the China-France Entrepreneurship Council with Macron in Paris and delivered a keynote speech.[16] In that evening, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan attended a welcome banquet hosted by Macron and his wife Brigitte at the Elysee Palace.[17] Following discussion on the granting of visas,[18] China has announced to extend the visa-free policy until December 31, 2025, for 12 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.[19]

On May 7, President and Mrs. Macron took President Xi and Mrs. Peng Liyuan to the Hautes-Pyrenees in Pyrenees, the birthplace of Macron's grandmother.[20][21][22]

Serbia

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Main article: China–Serbia relations

In advance of the visit to Serbia, which overlapped with the 25th anniversary of the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia which killed three Chinese journalists, Xi wrote an article in the Serbian newspaper Politika stating, "The friendship between China and Serbia which is soaked in blood that the two peoples spilled together has become a joint memory of the two peoples and will encourage both parties to make together huge steps forward."[23]

On the evening of May 7, Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.[24] When Xi arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla International Airport, he was greeted by Serbian President Vučić and his wife Tamara Vučić, the chairman of the National Council for Cooperation with China and former President Tomislav Nikolić and his wife Dragica Ninković, President of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and Ministry of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić.[25][26]

On the morning of May 8, Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Vučić at House of the National Assembly in Belgrade.[27] They signed the Joint Declaration on Deepening and Upgrading the China-Serbia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Building a New Era China-Serbia Community of Destiny. The two heads of state also entered bilateral cooperation agreements on topics including joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, green development, digital economy, e-commerce, infrastructure, economic and technological development, information and communication, agriculture and food, and media.[28] President Xi also expressed China's support for the Serbian side's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue. President Vučić said that Serbia would continue to stand firmly with China on all issues related to China's core interests.[28][29]

At noon, Vučić and Tamara hosted a welcome banquet for Xi and Peng at House of the National Assembly.[30][31]

Hungary

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Main article: China–Hungary relations

On the evening of May 8, Xi Jinping arrived in Budapest for a state visit to Hungary. At Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán and his wife Anikó Lévai, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and other senior government officials greeted Xi.[32][33] On the morning of May 9, Xi attended a welcoming ceremony jointly hosted by Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest.[34]

On the afternoon of May 9, Xi held talks with Orbán at the Prime Minister's Office in Budapest. The countries stated that they are satisfied with the Belt and Road Initiative and that China supports Hungary in playing a greater role within the EU on promoting China-EU relations.[35] The visit brought protests concerning human rights in Tibet.[35][36] The two leaders announced that China-Hungary relations would be upgraded to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership.[37]

On the evening of May 10, Xi Jinping took off from Budapest Airport back to Beijing, ending his trip to Europe.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "China's Xi to visit France, Serbia and Hungary May 5–10, foreign ministry says". Reuters. reuters. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Xi Jinping to Pay State Visits to France, Serbia and Hungary". www.fmprc.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ^ "China ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with France, says Wang Yi". english.www.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  4. ^ "China's Xi Jinping to visit France in early May". POLITICO. 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. ^ Pinghui, Zhuang (2024-04-28). "China looks to France to foster 'pragmatic' EU policy on Beijing". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  6. ^ "Xi Heads to Belgrade Around Anniversary of NATO Embassy Bombing". Bloomberg News. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Hungary says Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit in May". Reuters. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  8. ^ "习近平离京对法国、塞尔维亚和匈牙利进行国事访问__中国政府网". www.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  9. ^ "习近平离京对法国、塞尔维亚和匈牙利进行国事访问-新华网". Xinhua. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Paris to begin first trip to Europe in five years". AP News. 2024-05-05. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  11. ^ Corbet, Sylvie (2024-05-06). "Macron puts trade and Ukraine as top priorities as China's Xi opens European visit in France". AP News. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  12. ^ "Macron, von der Leyen press China's Xi on trade in Paris talks". Reuters. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  13. ^ "Macron set to press China's Xi on trade, Ukraine during Paris visit". France 24. 2024-05-05. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  14. ^ "到访法国 习近平受到热情迎接". 中国日报网 (in Chinese). 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  15. ^ "特写丨中法元首互赠奥运火炬". Xinhua Agency (in Chinese). 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  16. ^ "习近平在中法企业家委员会第六次会议闭幕式上的致辞（全文）". Xinhua Agency (in Chinese). 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  17. ^ "习近平出席马克龙举行的欢迎宴会-新华网". Xinhua Agency (in Chinese). 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  18. ^ Thompson, Hannah (2024-05-07). "and leaders exchange presents". France and China ease visa rules. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  19. ^ "China extends visa exemption for 12 countries to 2025 year-end". Ecns.cn. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  20. ^ "Macron and China's Xi break protocol for one-on-one visit to the Pyrenees". France 24. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  21. ^ Bayer, Lili; Hawkins, Amy; O'Carroll, Lisa; Henley, Jon (2024-05-07). "China's Xi Jinping to head for Serbia on second day of Europe visit – live". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  22. ^ Gatinois, Claire (2022-05-01). "Macron tries to stop time in a small town in the Hautes-Pyrénées". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  23. ^ Vasovic, Aleksander; Sito-sucic, Daria (5 May 2024). "China's Xi Jinping to Visit Serbia on Anniversary of 1999 NATO Bombing". Reuters. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  24. ^ Higgins, Andrew (2024-05-07). "On European Tour, Xi Jinping Heads to Friendly Territory in the East". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  25. ^ Aleksandar Vasovic, Daria Sito-sucic (2024-05-07). "China's Xi Jinping visits Serbia on anniversary of 1999 NATO bombing". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  26. ^ Gec, Jovana; Stojanovic, Dusan (2024-05-07). "Xi begins Serbia visit on the 25th anniversary of NATO's bombing of the Chinese Embassy". AP News. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  27. ^ "BIZTODAY Serbia-China Ties/Xi Visit". Longview News-Journal. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  28. ^ a b Chen, Alyssa (2024-05-08). "Xi Jinping hails 'new chapter' for China's relations with Serbia". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  29. ^ Stojanovic, Dusan; Gec, Jovana (2024-05-08). "China and EU-candidate Serbia sign an agreement to build a 'shared future'". AP News. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  30. ^ Delauney, Guy (2024-05-07). "China's Xi Jinping gets red-carpet welcome in Serbia". BBC Home. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  31. ^ Geslin, Laurent (2024-05-07). "Serbia opens its arms and economy to 'Brother Xi'". www.euractiv.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  32. ^ Grove, Thomas, 习近平受到欧洲少有的亲中国家塞尔维亚和匈牙利的热烈欢迎, retrieved 2024-05-10
  33. ^ Anita Komuves, Boldizsar Gyori (2024-05-09). "China's Xi Jinping says China-Hungary relations an 'all-weather' strategic partnership". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  34. ^ "Hungary and China sign strategic co-operation agreement during Xi Jinping visit". Times and Star. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  35. ^ a b Szandelszky, Bela (May 10, 2024). "Hungary and China sign strategic cooperation agreement during visit by Chinese President Xi". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  36. ^ Higgins, Andrew (2024-05-09). "In Budapest, Xi Hails a 'Deep Friendship' With Hungary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  37. ^ "Xi Jinping upgrades China's ties with Hungary to 'all-weather' partnership". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  38. ^ "China's Xi leaves Hungary as he concludes a 5-day visit to Europe". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
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