President Xi’s European tour is also traditionally timed for Chinese diplomacy. In the case of Paris, it is the anniversary since 1964, when General Charles de Gaulle’s France became the first major European country to diplomatically recognize communist China, and in the case of Belgrade, it is the 25th anniversary since a US missile hit the Chinese embassy during the bombing of the former Yugoslavia. In the case of Budapest, symbolism is lacking, but it is enough that Hungary is the most China-friendly country in united Europe.
At the same time, the Chinese leader, in his infrequent foreign visits, especially considering the current tense geopolitical situation and uncertainty regarding the future, does not go to commemorate the past days, but to try to outline the contours of this very future. Among them, Europe is an important economic partner of China, and Beijing is interested in maintaining this cooperation. Needless to say, the Chinese market also occupies a prominent place in the business models of a large number of leading European companies.
At the same time, geopolitics has an increasing influence on these relations, which are idyllic at least for European big business. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world has begun to move towards disintegration into geopolitical blocs. Beijing has adopted a neutrality in favor of Russia, while Europe (as a whole) has effectively abandoned efforts to become a geopolitical subject and is moving closer to the US, whose relations with China are becoming increasingly strained.
In such a situation, it seems that more and more gaps should appear between European countries and China, however, it is interesting that a series of publications show that there is a widespread opinion in Beijing that this will be avoided. It is believed that pragmatic Europeans will not only not be ready to break economic relations with China, but will also avoid excessive rapprochement with the United States, primarily in the matter of relations with Beijing, due to the preservation of these relations.
In addition, the initial results of Xi Jinping’s visit show that this opinion may not be particularly far from the truth in many cases. Another issue is that Beijing should also give something in return. In this case – to abandon excessive rapprochement with Russia, which China categorically refuses to do.
