Xi's visit to solidify robust ties

Xi and his host, French President Emmanuel Macron, are set to exchange views on bilateral ties, China-European Union relations and major global and regional issues, and the two heads of state will meet outside Paris for further in-depth interactions.

The Chinese president's six-day trip to Europe — his first tour overseas this year — will also include key engagements with the leaders of Serbia and Hungary.

Some analysts have underlined the important role of stronger collaboration on strategic issues between China and France in ensuring the stability of ties between China and the EU and solving global challenges going forward.

Feng Zhongping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, said that head-of-state diplomacy has been instrumental in leading the way for ties between Beijing and Paris, which have long stood at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries.

"The frequent personal interactions between Xi and Macron have charted the path forward for bilateral relations, and the strategic dialogue" between the two leaders during the trip will "pave the way for a higher level of mutual trust and cooperation", he said.