Xi joins Macron in southwest China on rare trip with a global leader outside Beijing

Xi joins Macron in southwest China on rare trip with a global leader outside Beijing
French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China, 5 December
Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the leader of Europe’s second-largest economy, highlighting Beijing’s strategic focus on Paris in its dealings with the European Union.

Macron began his day by surprising fellow joggers at Chengdu's Jincheng Lake Park, as videos on Chinese social media showed, before joining Xi at the Dujiangyan dam, which has regulated water flows around Chengdu since the 3rd century BC, according to state media.

A meeting in the Chinese capital on Thursday resulted in 12 cooperation agreements covering areas such as population ageing, nuclear energy, and panda conservation. While no financial details were disclosed, Macron is accompanied on his fourth state visit to China by executives from some of France's leading companies.

Xi was not expected to approve the long-awaited purchase of 500 Airbus jets, as this could diminish Beijing's bargaining position in trade discussions with the U.S., which is seeking new commitments for Boeing orders.

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