China offers France chance for joint action with eastern Europe
- In call to Macron, Xi says two countries can work together on climate change and coronavirus vaccine distribution
- Chinese president also urges Paris to help put the China-EU investment deal into effect as soon as possible
In a phone call with Emmanuel Macron, Xi said China wanted to expand cooperation with France on various issues, from climate change and global coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts to G20 debt relief initiatives.
China’s attempts to compete with the European Union for influence in central and eastern Europe prompted concerns in the bloc that the “17+1” platform was being used to divide EU policy on China.
The initiative was launched in 2012 and brings together the heads of China and 17 central and eastern European nations, 12 of them members of the EU.
Xi hosted a long-delayed 17+1 summit in February.
China and European ‘17+1’ nations to hold virtual talks in February
In his call with Macron, Xi said China was willing to hold “proactive discussions” with France on cooperation in central and eastern Europe to create “new space” for China-EU cooperation, according to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry. China and France could work on areas such as energy, aviation, agriculture and food products, the ministry quoted Xi as saying.
Xi also said China would support Paris in its efforts to become Europe’s top financial hub, with Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.
The European Union, spurred on by Germany and France with the approval of all member countries, agreed in December to an investment deal with China that is expected to give European companies greater access to the Chinese market.
Xi said China believed that a stronger Europe was conducive to peace, stability and development of a multipolar world, describing China and the EU as “the two great powers”.
