French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to ensure fairer trade during his visit to Paris. Macron will also discuss the situation in Ukraine with Xi.

Xi's visit marks his first to Europe in five years, amid increasing trade tensions. The EU is investigating various Chinese industries, particularly electric vehicle exports, while China is scrutinizing imports of French brandy.

Macron emphasized the need to address structural challenges in Europe-China relations, aiming for fair competition for businesses. "The future of our continent depends significantly on our ability to balance our relationship with China," Macron stated during discussions at the Elysee Palace.

Earlier, Macron greeted Xi with a handshake in the palace courtyard, accompanied by music from the Republican Guard's orchestra. Notably, Macron refrained from his usual hugs, instead giving Xi's arm a friendly squeeze during the handshake.

Xi, in his remarks, stressed the importance of China-Europe relations amid global uncertainties, advocating for dialogue and cooperation. Von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, highlighting shared interests in peace and security but acknowledging challenges in market access and trade imbalance.

"We have a significant economic relationship with China, but it faces challenges such as state-induced overcapacity and unequal market access," Von der Leyen noted, emphasizing the need to address these issues in their discussions.

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