China Power

Xi Jinping in Europe: A Tale of 2 Countries

Recent Features

China Power

Xi Jinping in Europe: A Tale of 2 Countries

Xi’s receptions in Italy and France were markedly different. So were the benefits for the hosts – but not in the way you’d expect.

Xi Jinping in Europe: A Tale of 2 Countries

French President Emmanuel Macron, 2nd right, Chinese President Xi Jinping, 2nd left, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, hold a press conference at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, March 26, 2019.

Credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool

As has been widely covered in the media, Italy signed on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative on Saturday, becoming the first G-7 country to do so.

The inking of the memorandum of understanding came during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Rome this week, and Italy’s government was keen to celebrate. Xi was roundly feted in the Italian capital, on par with the treatment normally granted to visiting monarchs. In return, Chinese and Italian companies signed deals worth 2.5 billion euros ($2.8 billion), including agreements for Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) to sell “Panda” bonds and cooperate with China’s Silk Road Fund on international investments and for Italian railways and airports to boost Chinese tourism through cooperation with the online travel agency Ctrip. Most directly tied to the BRI, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) signed agreements with Trieste and Genoa ports.

[...]
Dreaming of a career in the Asia-Pacific?
Try The Diplomat's jobs board.
Find your Asia-Pacific job