French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at a remote mountain pass in the Pyrenees after a state visit in Paris that was marked by trade disputes and discussions on Russia’s war in Ukraine. Macron invited Xi to the Tourmalet Pass near the Spanish border, where Macron spent time as a child. The visit is seen as a reciprocal gesture after Xi took Macron to the residence of the governor of Guangdong province last year.
The mountain meetings come after a state visit by Xi that included a ceremonial welcome at the monument housing Napoleon’s tomb and a state dinner at the Elysee Palace. The visit was marked by discussions on global tensions and China’s influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Xi’s trip to Europe aims to strengthen relations with France, Serbia, and Hungary.
Security was tightened around the Tourmalet Pass, with roads leading to the area blocked by authorities for several miles. Snow covered nearby slopes after overnight snowfall. The private meetings between Macron and Xi at the mountain pass are expected to address various issues, including trade disputes and global tensions.
The visit to France is part of Xi’s broader trip to Europe, where he is looking to reinvigorate relations with various countries. After leaving France, Xi will travel to Serbia and Hungary as part of his European tour. The mountain meetings between Macron and Xi come at a time of heightened global tensions, with a focus on China’s role in influencing Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
The state visit by Xi included discussions on trade issues and cooperation between China and France. The grandiose visit also featured a state dinner at the Elysee Palace with celebrities and magnates. The visit by Xi to France is seen as an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries and address various global challenges together.
Overall, the meetings between Macron and Xi at the Tourmalet Pass in the Pyrenees mark a significant moment in the ongoing relations between France and China. The discussions are expected to cover trade disputes, global tensions, and China’s role in influencing Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Xi’s visit to France is part of a broader European tour aimed at consolidating relations with various countries in the region.
