Li Qiang to make first overseas trip as Chinese premier to France and Germany

Next week’s visit comes at a time when Beijing is keen to improve ties with Europe in the face of growing US pressure

The two countries’ leaders, Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron, have both visited China in recent months

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Li Qiang and Emmanuel Macron pictured during their meeting in Beijing in April. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:29pm, 15 Jun 2023

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is heading to Germany and France on Sunday as Beijing seeks to improve ties with Europe in the face of growing pressure from the United States.

The visit, which the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed will run until next Friday, will be Li’s first overseas visit since taking office as China’s number No 2 official in March.

Li is a long-standing aide to President Xi Jinping and the visit takes place at a time when Beijing is placing a greater emphasis on its relations with Europe.

It has urged the European Union to insist on its strategic autonomy in face of US efforts to create a united front with its allies towards China.

Germany and France are the two largest economies in the EU and widely viewed as the main engines of the 27-member bloc.

Last Monday Li told a visiting delegation from the German Social Democratic Party, the largest partner in the ruling coalition, that China stands ready to propel its strategic partnership with Berlin to new heights.

Olaf Scholz, pictured with Xi Jinping, during his visit to China in November, the first by a G7 leader since the start of the pandemic. Photo: AFP

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Li Qiang to make first overseas trip as Chinese premier to France and Germany

Next week’s visit comes at a time when Beijing is keen to improve ties with Europe in the face of growing US pressure The two countries’ leaders, Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron, have both visited China in recent months

Next week’s visit comes at a time when Beijing is keen to improve ties with Europe in the face of growing US pressure

The two countries’ leaders, Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron, have both visited China in recent months