Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s arrival in Paris this Sunday marked not only a state visit but also sparked significant protests. Advocates for Tibet and Xinjiang utilized this occasion to highlight their concerns regarding human rights abuses under his administration. Al Jazeera reports the beginning of Xi’s first European tour since 2019 amidst these protests.
As Xi Jinping set foot in Paris, thousands of demonstrators from the Tibetan community gathered to express their displeasure. They criticized what they saw as the French government’s welcoming of a leader they labelled as a dictator. According to Al Jazeera, the protests also saw participation from Uyghur groups, underscoring the widespread discontent with China‘s policies in its northern regions.
The focus of the protests was on the alleged human rights violations in Tibet and Xinjiang. Human Rights Watch has urged French President Emmanuel Macron to address these issues publicly during discussions with Xi. “President Macron should make it clear to Xi Jinping that Beijing’s crimes against humanity come with consequences for China‘s relations with France,” Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch stated, emphasizing the importance of international accountability.
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Despite the protests, Xi’s visit is primarily aimed at discussing major topics like Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and economic tensions with the European Union. He is scheduled to meet not only with President Macron but also with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to discuss these pressing issues. Their meeting is set to start at 11 am (09:00 GMT) on Monday, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Following France, Xi Jinping will visit Serbia and Hungary, continuing his European tour. These visits come at a time when both countries maintain strong ties with Russia, drawing international attention.
While Xi’s visit aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between China, France, and the EU, the voices of protesters remind the global community of the ongoing human rights debates surrounding China‘s policies in Tibet and Xinjiang.
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