Speaking at the Elysee Palace following talks with Xi, Macron emphasized the need for a strong Europe-China partnership, adding that this must be based on strong multilateralism and fair and balanced trade. He said that a unified European response, in his view, is critical in dealing with Chinese hegemony.

President Xi was visiting France after a trip to Italy during which Italy became the first G-7 state to sign up to China’s New Silk Road project.