Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of Europe – first in five years – is being regarded as an opportunity to reaffirm Beijing’s economic and geopolitical ambitions. Xi used it to the hilt and sent strong messages to Europe and NATO about China’s keenness to build bridges with Europe while expressing solidarity with his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The trip took Xi to France, Serbia and Hungary and helped him mainly to showcase the commercial and geopolitical objectives of Chinese power. He seems to have played his cards well and operated from a position of advantage without virtually offering any concessions to the leaders of the European Union. The itinerary itself was chosen by Xi in a shrewd manner which itself had a message. For, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban are both no easy partners for European leaders and they make no secret of their hobnobbing with the Kremlin. Xi used this political climate consciously and chose Belgrade and Budapest after Paris. This left no one in doubt about his intent to highlight Europe’s divisions.
In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron had accordingly planned his strategy in advance and included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in his first talks with Xi. Macron wanted to show to Xi that he was no lone voice and he had the backing of other European nations. However, he failed to win over German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in this endeavour. But, this was predictable, given Scholz’s policy toward China that is dictated by the interests of his country’s industrialists. The decision of the German Chancellor to stay away from the meeting in Paris weakened the firm stand made by von der Leyen and Macron on the serious trade disputes between China and the EU. This was one of the two big issues discussed in Paris with the Chinese President. Chinese producers of electric cars in particular have, for some time, been flooding European markets with their low cost products, thereby hurting the interests of automobile manufacturers of Europe. Brussels sought to raise the issue with Xi in earnest. But the latter virtually poured water on it by denying that the manufacturers of his country had stepped up normal production.
Similarly, Xi astutely handled the issue of Russia’s war with Ukraine which constituted the second priority for Paris and Brussels. When asked not to support Russia’s war effort, Xi, it was reported, was noncommittal during private discussions with European leaders. But, in public he went on the offensive and said that such a stance of China could be used to “blacken” its image and even trigger “a new Cold War.” This is only natural and in keeping with China’s pro-Russia policy. Incidentally, the Chinese President will roll out a red carpet welcome to Russian President Putin in Beijing later this month.
In sharp contrast to Xi’s trip to France, his engagements with Serbia and Hungary were more cordial and economically more fruitful. The visit to Belgrade coincided with the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy by NATO during the Kosovo war on 7 May, 1999. This does not seem to be a coincidence. For, Beijing has never accepted Washington’s claim that the bombing was a mistake. It believes the bombing was a way of perpetuating NATO’s image as an aggressor. At this time when a major reason for Russia’s war with Ukraine is the latter’s attempt to join NATO, Xi’s Serbian visit on the anniversary of NATO bombing assumes added geopolitical significance.
Xi amply rewarded Hungary for its “independent” foreign policy by signing 18 economic cooperation agreements with it. Hungary was also promoted to one of the highest ranks in the qualification of its strategic partnership with Beijing. It is also significant that Xi has chosen autocratic rulers of Europe to provide assistance and pump in more investment.
Many experts thought Xi would try to consolidate Chinese ties with European powers so as to drive a wedge with the United States and reinforce his idea of a multi-polar world with Chinese features. But, obviously, they have been proved wrong. Xi, it seems, is quite happy with his closeness to Putin and wants to bring more autocrats in Europe into the China-Russia axis.