WSJ: Xi Jinping Should Not Expect Easy Trip To Europe

His visit will test Europe's readiness to confront China.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's first visit to Europe in nearly five years will test the continent's readiness to confront Beijing over its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as Chinese trade policy. According to The Wall Street Journal, although Xi Jinping should not expect an easy trip to Europe, European leaders should also tend to act cautiously with Beijing, not wanting to jeopardise ties with a major trading partner.

It is noted that China has served as an economic life saver for Russia since the start of the war, helping the aggressor country rebuild its military capabilities. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers are flooding Europe with electric cars, solar panels and other goods as the country attempts to get out of its slumping economy through exports.

"However, any attempt to confront Beijing will require unity among European leaders, and China has a long history of playing divide-and-conquer with capitals across the continent," the WSJ writes.

That said, a clear demonstration of the disagreement in European politics was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to China last month, the WSJ writes. Scholz expressed no public support for the European Commission's anti-subsidy investigations into car imports from China and remained silent on China's anti-dumping investigation over brandy imported from the EU.

The German chancellor also refrained from a direct public rebuke of Beijing for its continued support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

Scholz also turned down Macron's request to join talks with Xi Jinping this week, citing his plans to travel to the Baltic states on Monday.

"I think Xi Jinping expects a warm welcome in those countries and will only go there if he feels like he can make some good statements, and it seems like those countries understand China's concerns,'' said Olivia Cheung, a research fellow at the SOAS China Institute in London.

Xi's Visit to Europe: What is Known

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Europe for the first time in about five years amid rising tensions with the West over a range of issues including trade, allegations of espionage and Beijing's support for Russia. Xi Jinping's visit to Europe will last from May 5 to 10, and he plans to visit France, Serbia and Hungary.

Xi later said that China intends to work with France and the entire international community to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis.