French Foreign Minister in China to Discuss Climate, Global Tensions, and Trade

Visit aims to soothe ties strained by EU probe into Chinese-made electric vehicles, amid broader discussions on global challenges and bilateral relations.

• French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is in Beijing to discuss global tensions and climate change ahead of a major U.N. climate conference and an EU-China leaders meeting.
• Colonna's visit also aims to soothe ties after the launch of a European Union anti-subsidy probe into Chinese-made electric vehicles, which Beijing has criticized as 'protectionist'.
• Despite tensions, China has been trying to repair its relations with major trading partners including Europe, the U.S. and Australia, with in-person meetings becoming more frequent since the lifting of China's pandemic restrictions.
• France is China's third-largest trade partner, but concerns persist about China's vast trade imbalance with the EU, its opaque legislation on cross-border data transfers and the impact of cheap Chinese EVs on the European market.
• Colonna will also discuss the Ukraine war and the Gaza crisis with her Chinese counterparts, urging Beijing to use its influence to prevent further escalation.

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