Chinese leader Xi Jinping has arrived in France for a state visit, during which President Emmanuel Macron is anticipated to urge his Chinese counterpart to take a firmer stance against Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Before Xi's arrival in Paris, Tibetan protesters demonstrated on the streets against China's illegal occupation of Tibet. The People's Republic of China (PRC) annexed Tibet in 1951 after the Battle of Chamdo, following China's claim of sovereignty over the region on January 1, 1950.

The Chinese Communist Party refers to these events as the "Peaceful Liberation of Tibet," whereas the Tibetan diaspora and the Central Tibetan Administration label it the "Chinese invasion of Tibet."

Xi's arrival in Paris commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and China. His itinerary also includes visits to Serbia and Hungary.

The decision to prioritize France as the sole major European destination for his visit reflects the growing warmth in Sino-French relations since Macron's visit to China in April 2023, during which he was recognized as an influential figure within the EU.

Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, Xi received a warm welcome under umbrellas at a drizzly Paris Orly airport from Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Xi is scheduled to engage in discussions in Paris on Monday (May 6) with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Macron will accompany Xi to the Pyrenees mountains, a region Macron frequented during his childhood, for a day of more discreet discussions.

In an op-ed published in Le Figaro daily, Xi expressed his desire to collaborate with the international community in finding solutions to the conflict arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that Beijing played neither a direct nor an indirect role in the conflict.

"We aspire for a swift restoration of peace and stability in Europe and are committed to cooperating with France and the broader international community in seeking effective resolutions to the crisis," Xi wrote.

Image source: India Today