China seeks peace in Europe
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his European tour on Friday, May 10, visiting France, Serbia, and Hungary. During this trip, various topics were discussed, from trade exchanges and relations with Moscow in the Ukraine conflict to strategic friendships with Belgrade and Budapest.
Xi Jinping leaves Europe reassured. The five-day diverse tour of the ancient continent did not seem easy from the start compared to his last visit in March 2019, where Xi encountered a transformed Europe. The continent, much more tired than before, from the health emergency that originated from China in 2020 to being on the verge of an identity-testing election.
President Xi Jinping met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris and with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.
Xi Jinping said, ‘We discussed trade issues with them, but more importantly, security and the alleged military support of Beijing to Russia in the attack on Ukraine.’ Although Xi claims China’s neutrality, it is also true that in the past two years, Europe has had concerns about strengthening the Moscow-Beijing axis.
A group of 400 people led by senior leaders of the Communist Party of China traveled to Belgrade, where they were warmly welcomed with red carpets and cheers. Xi Jinping met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to strengthen what they called ‘steel friendship.’
The final stop of this tour was Budapest, where Xi Jinping paid respect to Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary for his independence in foreign policy. Xi Jinping tried to engage in dialogue with the part of Europe that was more wary of China by cultivating friendship with countries that see the Asian giant as a brother.
The trip to Paris was for maintaining prestige.
Entering Paris last Monday had a specific purpose: to commemorate the sixty years of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and France, the first Western country to recognize the Beijing regime.
After exchanging gifts – French cognac for Xi and Chinese porcelain for Macron – the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine. French President welcomed Beijing’s commitment to not selling weapons and closely monitoring the sale of products and technologies that could be used for military purposes.
The President of China also reiterated the principle guiding China’s foreign policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Macron’s real hope is that Xi can pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine. President Macron, in an interview with The Economist on the eve of Xi Jinping’s entry, said, ‘We must work with China to create peace.’
We hope Beijing will urge the parties to restore contacts and dialogue, recalling how all conflicts have been resolved through negotiation. It should be noted, however, that in these two years, China has not taken any diplomatic action to restore peace in Europe.
The opportunity arose at the end of the month with the announced visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China.
During his two-day trip to France, Xi Jinping also met with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, while visiting the Pyrenees mountain range in southwestern Europe, a natural border between France and Spain, along with two presidents and their spouses.
Brussels initiated research on the Chinese electric car industry last year and may impose tariffs on cars exported to the European market. In this regard, Von der Leyen said that Europe’s gates remain open for investment and fair competition, but it is not good for Europe if this weakens our security or makes us vulnerable.
Dear Ahin
An object moved from Paris to Belgrade. Its arrival in this country was not random. In fact, it was the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy during the NATO campaign against Serbia’s Slobodan Milosevic on May 7th. The Chinese delegation was warmly welcomed in the Balkan country with the highest level of respect.
On the other hand, since 2020, China has risen to the top of Serbia’s trading partners, almost reaching the position occupied by Germany. Using what is termed ‘vaccine diplomacy,’ Beijing has increased its presence in Serbia, providing substantial credits for strategic infrastructure and factories to boost the local economy.
The two countries have signed 28 bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding at the ministerial level, which will enhance their cooperation.
Trade relations that Xi and Vucic define their country-to-country relations as a ‘steel friendship’ is a typical example of China’s favorite chess game. On one hand, Beijing is initiating the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Europe, while on the other hand, Belgrade is receiving budget for highways, bridges, and railways without the need to provide excessive guarantees for project sustainability.
The main consequence is that many Chinese investments seem to not comply with European standards, which Serbia, as a candidate for EU membership, should adhere to. However, Beijing has a keen interest in continuing the Belgrade to Brussels route, viewing this Balkan country as a Trojan horse necessary for further penetration into the European market.
A Common Future
The last European tour stop was Budapest for Xi, but the high-speed train from Belgrade, connecting the two capitals, did not reach Budapest due to the project being currently blocked by the European Commission for investigation, thanks to a Chinese loan of almost two billion euros for the railway renovation.
During a meeting in the Hungarian capital, the Chinese leader spoke about mutual trust in the common future, mutual political positions and perspectives, and asked Budapest to lead regional relations with Beijing and praised the Prime Minister of Hungary, Orban, for his foreign policy independence.
The two countries have signed 18 new agreements to increase economic and cultural cooperation.
Orban stated, ‘I want to assure President Xi Jinping that Hungary will continue to ensure fair conditions for Chinese companies investing in our country, and we will create an opportunity to bring together the most modern Western and Eastern technologies in Hungary for growth and development.’
Beijing has made significant investments in Hungary, turning it into a stronghold of its influence in the European Union.
This is confirmed by the imminent opening of the first European electric car factory of BYD, a competitor to Tesla, in Szeged, southern Hungary.
The country currently hosts several lithium battery manufacturers for electric vehicles and is strategically emerging in this sector. Ultimately, Budapest could soon become another hub that starts from the port of Piraeus in Athens and penetrates into Central Europe.
Here, the praise for Xi’s leadership in boosting local economy, respecting Western competitors, and expanding the Belt and Road Initiative is briefly mentioned.
Xi Jinping entered into a phase of increasing competition with the European Union to revive relations with Europe.
Selected countries, including France, Hungary, and Serbia, support relations with Beijing in various ways without the involvement of the United States.
Macron, in particular, aimed to position himself as the main European interlocutor with China thanks to his close personal relationship with Xi, and by attending a meeting alongside Ursula von der Leyen, he introduced himself as the main European interlocutor with China, following the pattern of the 2019 meetings, where Germany was also represented by Angela Merkel.
However, the good relations between Macron and Xi did not significantly facilitate dialogue, as the most important issue for Europe, namely the excess production capacity of the Asian giant, was clearly rejected by the Chinese leader.
