Xi, Macron hold talks as France seeks EU unity on China

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on Monday for talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is aiming to forge a united Europe at a time of growing nervousness over Beijing's massive investments on the continent.

Xi's trip is expected to include the signing of a series of deals on nuclear power, aerospace and clean energy.

It comes after the Chinese leader concluded a visit to Italy, in which the nation became the first G7 state to sign up to Xi's vast "New Silk Road" infrastructure project that has sparked unease in the US and the European Union.

Macron and Xi will on Tuesday be joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to explore "points of convergence".

On Monday, the two leaders met at the Arc de Triomphe, where a regimental guard stood at attention while they placed a wreath before the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honouring the 140,000 Chinese workers who contributed to the World War I efforts in France.

They later held talks at the Elysee Palace on issues including climate goals, cooperation agreements, and business deals, officials in the French presidency said.

It was unclear, however, if they would sign off on a huge order for 184 Airbus A320 planes for 13 Chinese airlines, a deal announced during Macron's state visit to China in January 2018.

A press conference was scheduled for later Monday, before a state dinner with some 200 guests, including the French actor Alain Delon, who is widely known in China.

Tuesday's meetings with Merkel and Juncker come ahead of an EU-China summit in Brussels next month.

In an interview with the Nice-Matin newspaper after hosting Xi at a dinner on the French Riviera, Macron said the joint talks "would allow us to establish a common definition for a new international order".

- 'Silk road' reservations -

Xi arrived in France on Sunday from Italy, whose government's involvement in the New Silk Road project comes despite misgivings over the huge venture by other European nations wary of China's growing influence.

Xi insisted the project -- a massive undertaking to join Asia to Europe -- will be a two-way street of investment and trade.

EU Budget Commissioner Gunther Oettinger in a newspaper interview Sunday expressed "concern that in Italy and other European countries, infrastructure of strategic importance like power networks, rapid rail lines or harbours are no longer in European but in Chinese hands."

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also voiced concern in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"In a world with giants like China, Russia or our partners in the United States, we can only survive if we are united as the EU," he said.

"And if some countries believe that they can do clever business with the Chinese, then they will be surprised when they wake up and find themselves dependent."

- Walking a tightrope -

Xi's visit poses a particular challenge for Macron, who wants to deepen EU ties with China while pushing back against Beijing's growing global clout.

Europe's distrust of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which is poised to become the dominant player in next-generation 5G mobile technology worldwide, is emblematic of the increasingly rocky relationship.

The US is pressuring European allies not to use the Huawei technology, saying it creates a security risk by potentially letting Beijing snoop on sensitive communications.

France has not ruled out using Huawei technology.

As well as addressing commercial cooperation and strategic issues with Xi, Macron has also been urged to deal with the case of Meng Hongwei, Chinese former head of the France-based Interpol police agency.

Meng's wife has had no news of her husband since his arrest in China nearly six months ago. It emerged Sunday she has written to Macron asking him to bring up his disappearance with Xi.

Meng is believed to be facing corruption charges.

Despite the many sources of friction, France wants to engage China as a closer partner as Washington makes a pointed withdrawal from global affairs under Trump's "America First" policy.

For example, Macron may seek more Chinese support for the French-backed G5 Sahel force fighting Islamist extremists in Western Africa, French presidential aides said.

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Macron looks to galvanise EU on China as Xi visits France
Paris (AFP) March 24, 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to the French Riviera on Sunday for the final leg of his European tour, as France's Emmanuel Macron looks to forge a united European front to contend with China's global ambitions. Xi's trip will begin in the Mediterranean city of Nice and a stop in the nearby principality of Monaco before face-to-face talks with Macron. On Monday, the two leaders head to Paris for the official state visit, marking 55 years since Charles de Gaulle broke ranks with the West t ... read more