Chengdu Diplomacy: Xi and Macron's Strategic Ballet

Xi Jinping's rare visit with Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu highlights China's diplomatic focus on France within the EU. Despite formalities, no significant trade deals have emerged, as geopolitical tensions persist. Discussions included cooperation in nuclear energy and panda conservation but lacked fiscal commitments.

In a rare diplomatic gesture, Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu, underscoring China's strategic focus on strengthening ties with France within the European Union framework.

Despite the display of cordiality, Macron's visit yielded limited concrete outcomes beyond diplomacy, amid ongoing global trade tensions intensified by U.S. tariffs under President Trump's administration. Analysts note that the visit primarily bolstered China's diplomatic influence and allowed Macron to reaffirm his international standing after a politically challenging period at home.

The meetings produced 12 cooperation agreements in fields such as nuclear energy and panda conservation, although significant commercial breakthroughs were absent. Observers suggest that geopolitical complexities, including lingering issues over EU-China trade relations and the war in Ukraine, contributed to the restrained outcomes.

(With inputs from agencies.)