[CC may contain inaccuracies] That France is the first stop for Xi
Jinping on this three nation tour of Europe.
So more Ukraine was obviously going to be one of the key topics that were
discussed. But what have we heard from both sides
about this? Yeah, and I think you talked about it
yesterday. How key.
Going to France first and then Serbia and Hungary.
He's not necessarily going to get an earful like he would in other places
because, again, the fact remains that the European Union is sort of aligning
itself more towards a US position towards China on trade, on a number of
issues and potential tariffs on EVs and the like, and also, of course, the
security threat with the war in Ukraine into its third year right now, and that
is at front and center. So, you know, Xi Jinping in many ways
sort of bristled at some of the I wouldn't say allegations, but the
suggestion that essentially that the United States has made, of course, that
China in indirect ways is aiding Putin's war in Ukraine, whether it's dual use
technologies that end up on the battlefield or the like.
And as I said, you know, observers in France sort of described Xi Jinping as
bristling when this was raised. And I will quote what Xi Jinping said
about that. He says Beijing is not aiding war in
Russia's war in Ukraine, that Beijing is not at the origin of this crisis nor a
party to it, nor a participant. Very, you know, very absolute
terminology there. He also then referred to the United
States and its efforts to essentially get a coalition together against China.
In many ways, he said, we oppose this crisis, the one in Ukraine being used to
place responsibility on a third country. He's alluding to China, of course, and
tarnish its image and incite a new Cold War.
So, again, this is Xi Jinping's fifth or first trip to the EU in five years.
And clearly he has a mission to offer the Europeans China's economic benefits
while at the same time making sure to fend off the tide that is happening in
Europe of aligning with the United States, which clearly Xi Jinping feels
is stirring the pot.
