China denies inviting European leaders to meet Xi, but sources confirm approach has been made
- Chinese foreign ministry spokesman calls report about potential meetings ‘fake news’
- Senior diplomatic source in Europe says Xi wants ‘coronation ceremony’ for third term
China has denied it invited European leaders to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, but a senior diplomatic source confirmed the EU countries had been approached about visiting Beijing.
[Xi] wants, I think, something like a coronation ceremony where the leaders of the world come to Beijing to pay tribute … like Napoleon
“I don’t know where they got the information. What I can tell you is, this is fake news,” Zhao said.
Asked about the Chinese foreign ministry’s denial, the well-placed source confirmed that these EU member states had been approached about a potential visit in November and were currently deliberating how to deal with the issue.
“He wants, I think, something like a coronation ceremony where the leaders of the world come to Beijing to pay tribute to Xi the third, like Napoleon the third,” said the senior diplomat, referring to Xi’s likely third term in office.
The source said invitations were still informal and were expected to be formalised later in the year.