China confirms Xi Jinping’s European tour will include visits to France, Serbia and Hungary

Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said China looks forward to working with France to further enhance political mutual trust and cooperation through Xi’s visit, which could also “inject stability into the development of China-Europe relations and make new contributions to peace and stability in the world”.

Macron had promised to visit China every year while in office and he expects these visits to be reciprocated by China’s leader.

The foreign ministry also said that Xi would discuss upgrading China-Serbia relations when he meets his counterpart Aleksandar Vučić.

China has no ‘fundamental’ conflict of interest with Germany, Xi tells Scholz

Lin said China looks forward to working with Serbia, which is not a member of the European Union, and using this visit as a chance to “cement ironclad friendship” and expand practical cooperation between the two countries.

During Xi’s visit to Hungary, he is expected to hold talks with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban respectively. Hungary has confirmed the Chinese president will visit on May 8-10 after he visits Serbia.

Hungary and Serbia are also close to Russia, with Orban repeatedly rejecting calls within the EU to sever economic ties with Moscow, which Hungary depends on for oil and gas supplies.

Xi’s trip comes at a time of growing European concern about trade practices, including limited access to the Chinese market and the huge trade imbalance.

China under scrutiny over Ukraine as Xi prepares for Europe tour, Putin visit

Next month Xi will welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing, following his last visit in October – a trip that is certain to attract close attention from the international community.

China’s closeness to Russia and its stance on the Ukraine war are a major source of tension with the EU despite its insistence it is neutral in the conflict.