Xi Hails 'positive Competition' On EU Visit

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday attempted to dispel concern about his country's growing presence in Europe at a meeting with French, German and EU leaders who stressed their desire for a more balanced relationship.

French President Emmanuel Macron was joined by Germany's Angela Merkel and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Paris with Xi, which took place against a backdrop of growing tensions caused by Donald Trump's America.

"Of course there are differences and competition, but it's positive competition," Xi told a joint press conference. "We are advancing together. We shouldn't let suspicions lead us to be constantly looking backwards."

The EU and China have both been on the receiving end of Trump's "America first" nationalism, protectionist trade policies and attacks on international agreements covering global warming, trade and Iran's nuclear programme.

"Cooperation pays better than confrontation," Macron declared.

In a joint statement at the end of Xi's three-day trip to France, the Chinese and French leaders both committed to working together to promote a rules-based international order.

Merkel sounded a note of caution about how much the EU and China could achieve on their own, however.

"There can't be multilateralism without the United States," she said.

Though the leaders emphasised multiple areas where China, France and the EU would work together, there remain underlying tensions in the relationship – the source of the "suspicions" that Xi referred to.

Ahead of an EU-China summit on April 9, the European Commission this month labelled China a "systemic rival" and presented a 10-point plan proposing a more assertive relationship with Beijing, which Macron has welcomed as a belated awakening. (AFP)