On May 8, Dr. John Gong, a China Forum expert and vice president for research at UIBE Israel, talked to TRT World on President Xi Jinping’s latest visit to France, Serbia and Hungary and the development of China-EU relations.

President Xi’s first official visit to Europe in five years, the five-day tour is of great significance to the development of China-EU relations, said Professor Gong. During the trip to France, the two sides reached four joint statements and 18 interdepartmental cooperation agreements. In addition, the call by the two heads of state for a global ceasefire and an end to war, using the Paris Olympics as an opportunity to do so, reflects the two sides’ common aspirations for peace. By maintaining normal trade relations with Russia while actively advancing friendly ties with European countries, China plays an important role in balancing and stabilizing the world order, said Gong.

According to Professor Gong, President Xi’s three chosen stops in Europe reveals great political and economic relevance. France, the only EU member with a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, has a pivotal role to play in European and global affairs. As for Serbia and Hungary, both countries have established close trade and economic ties with China.

TRT World is a Turkish public broadcaster international news channel which broadcasts in English 24 hours a day, operated by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation.

Watch the interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4tDUPDe0d8