Xi Visit Confirmed 5-10 May As Trade Tensions Escalate

(MNI) London - Wires reporting comments from the Chinese Foreign Ministry ahead of President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to Europe, taking place 5-10 May. Says that the trip to France, Serbia, Hungary, and the EU institutions in Brussels "are vitally important for China's relations" with each partner, and will "provide new impetus for global peace and development".

• On the trip to France, China "looks forward to working with France to further enhance political mutual trust, solidarity and cooperation...Xi and Macron will have an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-French relations, China-EU relations, and issues of national interest."
• On Serbia: Xi will hold talks with President Aleksander Vucic and "will talk bilateral relations, discuss the upgrade of China-Serbia relationship." FM says that China looks forwards to taking this visit as a further opportunity to cement our "ironclad friendship" with Serbia.
• On Hungary: FM says that Hungary is important for Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and China-CEE cooperation. Confirms Xi will meet PM Viktor Orban, and "will elevate bilateral relations with Hungary."
• The timing of Xi's visit is notable. Last week, EU investigators launched a raid on the officesof a Chinese firm operating in the EU, alleging breaches of EU rules on fair competition and state subsidies. After the raid, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “We like fair competition. What we don't like is when China floods the market with massively subsidized e-cars. That is what we are fighting against. Competition yes, dumping no. That must be our motto,”