Beijing, China (AP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a three-nation European tour today, his first visit to the continent in over five years. However, Xi’s “journey of peace” aimed at mending strained ties with Europe appears to be an uphill struggle amid rising tensions over trade, human rights, and China’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Xi kicked off his week-long trip in Moscow, where he reinforced China’s strategic partnership with Russia in the face of Western opposition. His European stops include meetings with leaders in France, Germany, and the European Union headquarters in Brussels.
“We hope this trip can help build consensus, promote cooperation, and inject new impetus into China-Europe relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated.
However, European leaders are expected to push back firmly on several fronts during Xi’s visit. Chief among their concerns is China’s refusal to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine, which the EU and NATO have deemed the greatest threat to Euro-Atlantic security.
“We will also have an open discussion on issues of concern, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. That counts for Russia as well,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of her meeting with Xi.
Trade tensions resulting from China’s economic policies and market access restrictions have strained relations as well. The EU accuses China of unfair practices, including industrial subsidies, intellectual property violations, and discrimination against European businesses.
On the human rights front, there are growing calls within the EU to impose sanctions over Beijing’s crackdown on Muslims in Xinjiang and its stifling of democracy in Hong Kong.
“The EU wants a more balanced relationship which also means resolving our differences,” said Mikko Huotari, director of The Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies. “China will be asked to take a clear position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”
Some European nations are also wary of China’s investments in critical infrastructure like ports and 5G networks, fearing they could compromise security.
In an apparent bid to ease tensions, Xi published an op-ed in France’s Le Figaro advocating for China-Europe cooperation on climate change, and food and energy security. However, he also warned against “disrupting” globalization and “willfully creating decoupling and severing supply chains.”
While a full resetting of China-Europe ties seems unlikely from this visit, some modest deliverables may emerge such as climate cooperation initiatives or joint statements reaffirming support for multilateralism.
Yet many European leaders view China’s efforts to act as a neutral peacemaker over Ukraine with skepticism, seeing it as a means to protect its economic ties with Russia while avoiding backlash from the West.
