Macron, the target of protests in his country, will go to China

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, will attend French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to China on April 4.

According to the Politico report, Macron told the EU Leaders Summit that he suggested that von der Leyen accompany him on the visit to emphasize that France and Europe are “of one voice.” Expressing that he would not follow the European agenda during his visit to Beijing, and that France had its own diplomatic agenda, Macron said that when France received Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris in 2019, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude. Juncker reminded her that he was with her.

Macron said they shared a “common vision” with German Chancellor Olaf Sholz, whom he met on the sidelines of the EU Leaders’ Summit, and that they believed it was necessary to stay in touch with China to put pressure on Russia.

The French leader stressed that all efforts must be made to stop the war in Ukraine within the framework of international law and respect for its territorial integrity.

EU Commission officials confirmed that Ursula von der Leyen will accompany Macron on the visit. The visit will be von der Leyen’s first visit to China as EU Commission President.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, is also scheduled to visit China in October. Michel visited Beijing in December 2022 and met with President Xi. (AA)