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.
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.