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AFP
Paris
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron were due to hold talks in Paris on Monday with the host leader seeking to forge a united European front to contend with Beijing’s advances.
Xi’s official visit to Paris will mark 55 years since Charles de Gaulle established diplomatic relations with Beijing. A series of cooperation deals on nuclear power, aerospace and clean energy initiatives, some involving lucrative contracts, are expected to be signed.
On Tuesday, Macron and Xi will be joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to explore “points of convergence” ahead of an EU-China summit in Brussels next month. “Very happy to welcome President Xi Jinping and his wife to France,” Macron wrote in a tweet Sunday.
“This visit will strengthen our strategic partnership and affirm the role of France, Europe and China towards a strong multi-lateralism.”
Amid tight security, the Chinese and French first couples on Sunday evening enjoyed a private dinner at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, near Nice on the French Riviera.
Macron offered Xi a French translation of Confucius dating from the 17th century, while Xi gave his host a precious vase depicting images of the two countries including a panda and a rooster.
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26/03/2019
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