![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFPBHX67YM2NPNSZPJWM4JNSLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4901c574a62052cfbca56e0591f71a6c706bcf47f73b4683c9a9ae2356082281&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Ms Peng arrive for the two-day state visit on Sunday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3K2Y25DJ5SAUA24KL4BTSOGDCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c223c7e3ca1a7e6bf680453e8d0e298281c299e4061bec22e534a73439c723f&width=400&height=225)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive for a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKEPJMNI2BELKZOLEAZB63TOG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4de0f5ca938894e721be20b4e4fdb3aa290705da63862e167f18b609bf1ce6c2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi arrives for the dinner at the palace as part of his two-day state visit. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z6ODI6X2TYQF2XI32ZCOLR3HFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=42ffdd2ac71380f1238323b5a2f1c6e70778be6b74682574f47f1f52852bd1e9&width=400&height=225)
French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng greet each other before the state dinner. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU62N7UJU2YWO2F4SA43Y2F6PI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d123604044014fcdc336bd0732b8397b82dc8fd9ce85167e1107df6b6b7d0a2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron, Ms Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng at the steps of the Elysee Palace. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3DQLOUBDRYYCGSETVRIHPFIYVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c40fd13949a3c6c17d76554bd7189d0ff89c91ffa2fb4cc886c422b1271ea7be&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron, Ms Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng at the steps of the Elysee Palace. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32XVTRIN2VHC2MIKGI4Q5GI65A.jpg?smart=true&auth=7463a0387c04af55c4bc389496b93c0d320f3cada7dff1d4f1bfdd03d5a9a239&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron and Mr Xi Jinping in Paris on Monday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SN6BFHF7SV3VPRSM6K7CD75BUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8913a21bc7eea9e9d4e70f334b123cba6d08e6d5bba695d4e06e0843c935ee3c&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi speaks during the official state dinner. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DX7PHTWBQ7ZWMU3BK2WOCDPS64.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae4a4bf1e9c0fc93e9e49c497a742aae4c1e30e6d778243a39e173160887aded&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi attends the sixth meeting of the Franco-Chinese Business Council at the Marigny Theatre in Paris on Monday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JV5FUJWJ7HKJNVKJPDR2UXSLHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b22257be838c5577a815b61a6265b2bb24317da1e8ecde8460119b00074f6d9c&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Mr Macron at the Franco-Chinese Business Council event. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXNMXHGBJ4C4FAQOEZI2L3L52M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c2d888e9d91b3ccd72879a962ee0e68694f1124039fb5c4094b6a72885d90058&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi speaks at the sixth meeting of the business council. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGAKNX4SMOVISQTEBHGXMSIRRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f1d60322fd9865f43ee44623f527afc52668f77a624b24d43a3ce942bcc4e22&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Mr Macron with their delegations at a working session at the Elysee Palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GUXASBL3UFMVXLB5MM64WURX7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=2158f539234349a318b0c9a0e51b9dde1dc42dcd7088000c4debcc60554baacd&width=400&height=225)
Ms Peng and Ms Macron visit the Orsay Museum in Paris on Monday. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJBALDZ7XAGLKJPF22B54Q3WIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf9a3016db6d0429ea1a083dcbfd771581b679930098dc4d6dddf681e7bbf916&width=400&height=225)
Ms Peng and Ms Macron inside the Orsay Museum. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXTVWL6VX47T7UUWBCDCDUBDDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c5209e41204d35b967308599439bd9222c1843ab120719e01338d2172dd9b6dd&width=400&height=225)
The Chinese and French presidential couples exchange gifts on behalf of their countries at the Elysee Palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LFFT4LKN6XCZTXCJJC23LENEXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a166211ff36d80b78c209db85f54013ce67cb59bad132677b0e574044a412f8&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi, Ms Peng, Mr Macron and Ms Macron walk past an honour guard to the palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PXB5BTDAUJ5QX2FFLQONEMFJKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=faafc178656e5259c97a845bf5dbe98b6ff95971c1e93bacaf99fcbfdaab1693&width=400&height=225)
The presidential couples arrive at the official welcoming ceremony at the Hotel National des Invalides monument in Paris. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AXXGCGXHJHIEYL5M664Q6G4RHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b757a4256feea975622048514da241d5b781004f9f4f88ad958d9facaa3b533b&width=400&height=225)
French Air and Space Force servicemen stand guard before the official welcoming ceremony at the Invalides, in Paris on May 6, 2024. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37WEO56HH2WHROERRQNCY3YU5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=5043e46ca8f77540ae3db528e9670ca980f6b33cf70cf4fa4ea48b69c1eeba6e&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi arrives for a meeting with Mr Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Elysee Palace. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XXY2VMW7VY4EUV5L5A6AKVREFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f53190150699699221f775d16be4df9d54c6a63f6154c1f37482845ffcdff09&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi, Mr Macron and Ms von der Leyen at their meeting on Monday. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VU6RRTLDLAYJY3ZJMASOEJ7PAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a9f177c9b2c9dbb1a852e5c81064919043c118b7c20e58275e86f0455722775&width=400&height=225)
Members of France's Republican Guard form an honour guard for the arrival of Mr Xi and Ms Peng at Orly airport, south of Paris, on Sunday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFPBHX67YM2NPNSZPJWM4JNSLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4901c574a62052cfbca56e0591f71a6c706bcf47f73b4683c9a9ae2356082281&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Ms Peng arrive for the two-day state visit on Sunday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3K2Y25DJ5SAUA24KL4BTSOGDCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c223c7e3ca1a7e6bf680453e8d0e298281c299e4061bec22e534a73439c723f&width=400&height=225)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive for a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CKEPJMNI2BELKZOLEAZB63TOG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=4de0f5ca938894e721be20b4e4fdb3aa290705da63862e167f18b609bf1ce6c2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi arrives for the dinner at the palace as part of his two-day state visit. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z6ODI6X2TYQF2XI32ZCOLR3HFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=42ffdd2ac71380f1238323b5a2f1c6e70778be6b74682574f47f1f52852bd1e9&width=400&height=225)
French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng greet each other before the state dinner. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BU62N7UJU2YWO2F4SA43Y2F6PI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8d123604044014fcdc336bd0732b8397b82dc8fd9ce85167e1107df6b6b7d0a2&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron, Ms Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng at the steps of the Elysee Palace. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3DQLOUBDRYYCGSETVRIHPFIYVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c40fd13949a3c6c17d76554bd7189d0ff89c91ffa2fb4cc886c422b1271ea7be&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron, Ms Macron, Mr Xi and Ms Peng at the steps of the Elysee Palace. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32XVTRIN2VHC2MIKGI4Q5GI65A.jpg?smart=true&auth=7463a0387c04af55c4bc389496b93c0d320f3cada7dff1d4f1bfdd03d5a9a239&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron and Mr Xi Jinping in Paris on Monday. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SN6BFHF7SV3VPRSM6K7CD75BUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=8913a21bc7eea9e9d4e70f334b123cba6d08e6d5bba695d4e06e0843c935ee3c&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi speaks during the official state dinner. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DX7PHTWBQ7ZWMU3BK2WOCDPS64.jpg?smart=true&auth=ae4a4bf1e9c0fc93e9e49c497a742aae4c1e30e6d778243a39e173160887aded&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi attends the sixth meeting of the Franco-Chinese Business Council at the Marigny Theatre in Paris on Monday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JV5FUJWJ7HKJNVKJPDR2UXSLHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b22257be838c5577a815b61a6265b2bb24317da1e8ecde8460119b00074f6d9c&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Mr Macron at the Franco-Chinese Business Council event. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXNMXHGBJ4C4FAQOEZI2L3L52M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c2d888e9d91b3ccd72879a962ee0e68694f1124039fb5c4094b6a72885d90058&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi speaks at the sixth meeting of the business council. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DGAKNX4SMOVISQTEBHGXMSIRRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2f1d60322fd9865f43ee44623f527afc52668f77a624b24d43a3ce942bcc4e22&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Mr Macron with their delegations at a working session at the Elysee Palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GUXASBL3UFMVXLB5MM64WURX7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=2158f539234349a318b0c9a0e51b9dde1dc42dcd7088000c4debcc60554baacd&width=400&height=225)
Ms Peng and Ms Macron visit the Orsay Museum in Paris on Monday. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VJBALDZ7XAGLKJPF22B54Q3WIA.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf9a3016db6d0429ea1a083dcbfd771581b679930098dc4d6dddf681e7bbf916&width=400&height=225)
Ms Peng and Ms Macron inside the Orsay Museum. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXTVWL6VX47T7UUWBCDCDUBDDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c5209e41204d35b967308599439bd9222c1843ab120719e01338d2172dd9b6dd&width=400&height=225)
The Chinese and French presidential couples exchange gifts on behalf of their countries at the Elysee Palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LFFT4LKN6XCZTXCJJC23LENEXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a166211ff36d80b78c209db85f54013ce67cb59bad132677b0e574044a412f8&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi, Ms Peng, Mr Macron and Ms Macron walk past an honour guard to the palace. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PXB5BTDAUJ5QX2FFLQONEMFJKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=faafc178656e5259c97a845bf5dbe98b6ff95971c1e93bacaf99fcbfdaab1693&width=400&height=225)
The presidential couples arrive at the official welcoming ceremony at the Hotel National des Invalides monument in Paris. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AXXGCGXHJHIEYL5M664Q6G4RHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b757a4256feea975622048514da241d5b781004f9f4f88ad958d9facaa3b533b&width=400&height=225)
French Air and Space Force servicemen stand guard before the official welcoming ceremony at the Invalides, in Paris on May 6, 2024. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37WEO56HH2WHROERRQNCY3YU5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=5043e46ca8f77540ae3db528e9670ca980f6b33cf70cf4fa4ea48b69c1eeba6e&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi arrives for a meeting with Mr Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Elysee Palace. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XXY2VMW7VY4EUV5L5A6AKVREFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5f53190150699699221f775d16be4df9d54c6a63f6154c1f37482845ffcdff09&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi, Mr Macron and Ms von der Leyen at their meeting on Monday. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VU6RRTLDLAYJY3ZJMASOEJ7PAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a9f177c9b2c9dbb1a852e5c81064919043c118b7c20e58275e86f0455722775&width=400&height=225)
Members of France's Republican Guard form an honour guard for the arrival of Mr Xi and Ms Peng at Orly airport, south of Paris, on Sunday. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XFPBHX67YM2NPNSZPJWM4JNSLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4901c574a62052cfbca56e0591f71a6c706bcf47f73b4683c9a9ae2356082281&width=400&height=225)
Mr Xi and Ms Peng arrive for the two-day state visit on Sunday. AFP
EU urges China to help curb Iran's drone and missile output
Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for Middle East peace process on rare visit to Europe
![Tim Stickings](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F345e69ed-58bd-4b19-a239-018e01f0c34d.png?smart=true&auth=95572e6b1caa26b15b89defef2bb7ebe406f60dfe25bf77d1fe90269af9b1b9f&width=70&height=70)
Tim Stickings
06 May, 2024
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic