Emmanuel Macron was subtly humiliated by his Chinese counterpart outside his own presidential residence Xi Jinping who arrived for an official state visit.
Xi Jinping meeting today at the French presidential palace for talks that will focus on both trade disputes and diplomatic efforts to convince Beijing to use its influence to take action Russia towards ending the war Ukraine.
However, in a departure from usual protocol, things got off to a shaky start when Xi's car stopped at the entrance to the Elysee Palace, forcing Macron to cross the courtyard to greet him.
Once together, they climbed the stairs together and briefly shook hands.
Xi then took part in a meeting with both Mr Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aiming to address broader EU concerns.
In his introductory remarks, Macron said the meeting would first address trade issues and how to ensure “fair competition”, and then the world's wars. Ukraine and the Middle East.
He said: “We are at a turning point in our history” as the relationship between Europe and China faces challenges.”
The talks were aimed at sharing “both our shared views and our concerns, and to try to overcome them, because the future of our continent will very clearly also depend on our ability to develop balanced relations with China,” he stressed .
Macron, a strong supporter of Europe's economic sovereignty, wants to address French concerns about a Chinese anti-dumping investigation into cognac and other European brandies, as well as tensions over French cosmetics and other sectors.
In a recent speech, he condemned the trade practices of both China and the United States, suggesting they were strengthening protections and subsidies.
At the start of the meeting in Paris, Xi said that “today's world has entered a new period of turbulence and change.”
He added: “As two major forces in the world, China and Europe… must continuously make new contributions to world peace and development.”
The EU launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies last fall and could impose tariffs on electric vehicles exported from China.
He said: “We are at a turning point in our history” as the relationship between Europe and China faces challenges.”
The talks were aimed at sharing “both our shared views and our concerns, and to try to overcome them, because the future of our continent will very clearly also depend on our ability to develop balanced relations with China,” he stressed .
Macron, a strong supporter of Europe's economic sovereignty, wants to address French concerns about a Chinese anti-dumping investigation into cognac and other European brandies, as well as tensions over French cosmetics and other sectors.
Ms von der Leyen said: “The European Union and China want good relations.
“We have a substantial economic relationship between the EU and China. … But this relationship is also tested, for example, by state-induced overcapacity, unequal market access and overdependence.”
Paris is the first stop on Xi's European trip as he seeks to rebuild ties at a time of global tensions. After France on Monday and Tuesday, he will go to Serbia and Hungary.
France hopes the talks will convince China to use its influence over Moscow to 'contribute to a resolution of the conflict' Ukraine, a French presidential official said. Russian president Vladimir Putin recently announced plans to visit China this month.
Macron will pressure Xi over deliveries from Chinese companies supporting Russia's war effort despite EU sanctions, he said. China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict. France also wants China to maintain dialogue with Kiev, added the official, who was not authorized to be identified under presidential policy.
Last year, Macron called on Xi to 'bring Russia to his senses”, but the call was not followed by any apparent action by Beijing.
Marc Julienne, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations, said: “The French authorities are pursuing two objectives that are ultimately contradictory.
“On the one hand, to convince Xi that it is in his interest to help the Europeans exert pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war and, on the other hand, to stop the Chinese president from supplying weapons to his Russian friend.”
“In short, we think Xi can help us, but at the same time we fear he can help Putin.”
As France prepares to host the Summer Olympics, Macron said he would ask Xi to use his influence to make the Games “a diplomatic moment of peace.”
The discussions will also be closely watched from Washington, a month before the presidential election Joe Biden is expected to make his own state visit to France.
Xi's visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and China and follows Macron's trip to China in April 2023.
Macron sparked controversy during that trip after he said France would not blindly follow the US in getting involved in crises that do not concern him, apparently referring to Chinese demands for unification with Taiwan.
Several groups – including International Campaign for Tibet and the French Human Rights League – urged Macron to put human rights issues at the center of his talks with Xi. Protesters demonstrated in Paris as Xi arrived on Sunday, calling for a free Tibet.
Amnesty International called on Macron to demand the release of Uighur economics professor Ilham Tohti, who was jailed for life in China in 2014 on charges of promoting separatism, and other jailed activists.
Also on Monday, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders organized a protest in front of the Arc de Triomphe monument to denounce Xi's visit, calling the Chinese president “one of the biggest predators of press freedom.” The group says there are 119 journalists imprisoned in the country.
Macron said in an interview published yesterday that he will raise human rights concerns.
A formal ceremony will take place later today at the Invalides Monument, ahead of bilateral talks at the Elysee Presidential Palace. Macron and Xi will close a nearby French-Chinese economic forum and then join their wives for a state dinner.
The second day of the visit is intended to be a more personal moment.
Macron has invited Xi to visit the Tourmalet Pass in the Pyrenees tomorrow, where the French leader spent time as a child to visit his grandmother. The trip is intended as a reciprocal gesture after Xi took Macron last year to the residence of the governor of Guangdong province, where his father once lived.