On the social network X (formerly Twitter), Eric Mammer, Von der Leyen's spokesman, announced that the official will travel to Paris on May 6, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, for a tripartite meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting will take place on the first day of Xi's trip to Europe next week, which includes France, Serbia and Hungary, in what will be his first trip to Europe in five years, as reported today by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, and President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, President Xi Jinping will pay state visits" between May 5 and 10 to these countries, the same source specified through a spokesperson.

In a statement, the French presidency had reported that the contacts between the presidents "will focus on international crises, namely the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, on trade issues, on scientific, cultural and sports cooperation, as well as on our joint actions to face global challenges, in particular the climate emergency, the protection of biodiversity and the financial situation of the most vulnerable countries".

The Élysée Palace had also indicated that Xi's visit takes place "on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the President's visit to Beijing and Canton in April 2023".

Last year, in the People's Republic of China, Emmanuel Macron appealed to Xi Jinping to "call Russia to reason" regarding Ukraine "and for everyone to return to the negotiating table".

In recent months, there has been a slight rapprochement between China and the European Union, despite tensions in the areas of trade, the economy and respect for human rights.

The disagreements worsened last week when the EC announced an investigation into the Chinese medical device market, warning it would determine whether China discriminates against European companies in public tenders in this sector in favour of its own companies.

Investigations were already underway into possible illegal subsidies granted to Chinese turbine manufacturers in the context of wind farms in Spain, Greece, France and Bulgaria and alleged subsidies on imports of electric vehicles from China.

In mid-April, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked President Xi Jinping, in Beijing, to pressure Moscow to stop the "senseless campaign" in Ukraine, while simultaneously affirming German-Chinese support for a peace conference in June in Switzerland.

Last week, the Chinese leader also received the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, whom he asked that the United States "be partners and not rivals".

The US Secretary of State said he had expressed concerns to Beijing regarding the support given to Russia, stating that the invasion of Ukraine would be "more difficult" without Beijing's support.

Read Also: Xi Jinping plans official visit to France on 6 and 7 May (Portuguese version)