Tourmalet Pass, France – French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a remote mountain pass in the Pyrenees, following a state visit in Paris fraught with trade disputes and discussions on Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. Macron, inviting Xi to the Tourmalet Pass near the Spanish border, sought to reciprocate after a previous visit by Xi to Guangdong province in China, where his father once resided.
The snow-covered slopes, tightened security, and blocked roads leading to the pass set the backdrop for the private meetings between the two world leaders and their wives, Brigitte Macron and Peng Liyuan. They enjoyed a traditional folk dance performance and indulged in local delicacies like ham and blueberry pie at a mountain restaurant. Macron gifted Xi with a yellow Tour de France jersey, a woolen blanket from the Pyrenees, and a bottle of Armagnac.
This mountain rendezvous marked the culmination of Xi’s grand state visit to France, which included iconic landmarks like Napoleon’s tomb and a luxurious dinner at the Elysee Palace. The leaders engaged in friendly but candid dialogue, with Macron addressing human rights issues, including specific cases, with Xi. The visit concluded with Xi departing France through a departure ceremony, complete with military fanfare.
Xi’s European tour aims to strengthen relations amidst global tensions and will continue with visits to Serbia and Hungary. As his visit in France ended, authorities in Brussels were investigating the European Parliament office of a German far-right lawmaker, Maximilian Krah, suspected of espionage for China. Krah, the Alternative for Germany party’s lead candidate in the upcoming European Parliament election, faces scrutiny after his assistant was arrested on spying allegations.
As Xi moves forward with his diplomatic engagements, the dialogue between world leaders remains crucial in navigating complex international relations and addressing pressing global challenges.