China-France relationship should be model for the world, says Xi Jinping as he lands in Paris

“We want to obtain reciprocity of exchanges and have the elements of our economic security taken into account,” Mr Macron said in an interview with French newspaper La Tribune ahead of Mr Xi’s two-day visit, his first trip to the region in five years.

The EU’s 27 members – in particular France and Germany – are divided on their attitude towards China. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not join Mr Macron and Mr Xi in Paris due to prior commitments, sources said.

“In Europe, we are not unanimous on the subject because certain players still see China as essentially a market of opportunities,” Mr Macron said, without naming any countries.

These divisions could undermine the EU’s ability to influence the Asian giant.

France will also seek to make progress on opening the Chinese market to its agricultural exports and to resolve issues around the French cosmetic industry’s concerns about intellectual property rights, officials said.