Chinese leader Xi Jinping is conducting visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from 5 to 10 May to build relationships with their leaders, despite pressure from the US. This signals Beijing’s attempt to create a bloc of new allies in Europe, political analysts said.
The visits are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including trade and economic relations and the situation in Ukraine. Particular attention is being paid to strengthening bilateral ties and discussing China’s plan to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
In the run-up to the conference on Ukraine, scheduled to be held in Switzerland on 15-16 June, China is demonstrating its readiness to actively participate in the search for solutions to resolve the conflict.
Xi Jinping last visited European countries five years ago. His current tour, according to The New York Times, is aimed at finding strategic ways to reduce dependence on the United States in European-American relations and create a new model of world order.
For his visits, Xi Jinping consciously chooses countries that seek greater economic co-operation and foreign policy decisions that are in line with their national interests. According to American journalists, this visit will be a test for Europe in its endeavour to maintain a balance between relations with China and the United States.