Main points from Xi Jinping’s visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary in Europe

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently concluded a five-day tour of Europe, visiting France, Serbia, and Hungary. During his trip, Xi emphasized Beijing’s vision of a multipolar world and engaged in discussions on trade, investments, and the conflict in Ukraine. In France, President Macron raised concerns about trade imbalances with the EU and urged Xi to use his influence on Putin to end the war in Ukraine. However, Xi offered few concessions on these issues. The visit aimed to strengthen ties with Europe amid growing trade tensions and concerns about Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles.

In Serbia, President Vucic embraced Xi’s vision of a “global community of shared future” and signed a free trade deal with China. The visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, highlighting China and Russia’s opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion. In Hungary, Xi pledged further investments in transport, energy, and infrastructure projects as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These investments aim to strengthen China’s economic influence in central and eastern Europe and enhance connectivity between Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Xi’s visit to Europe also showcased his desire to promote a multipolar world order and assert China’s growing global influence. Despite concerns about trade imbalances and geopolitical tensions, Xi’s engagements with European leaders in France, Serbia, and Hungary demonstrated China’s commitment to deepening political ties and expanding investments in the region. By addressing key economic and strategic priorities during the trip, Xi sought to mitigate potential damage to China’s relations with the EU and position China as a key player in shaping the future of international relations. Overall, the visit highlighted China’s strategic interests in Europe and its ambitions to strengthen partnerships in the region for mutual economic and geopolitical benefits.