With the arrival of the Chinese president in Paris, France, on Sunday, campaigners supporting Tibet and Xinjiang have gathered to highlight concerns over human rights violations occurring in these areas.
Embarking on his first trip to Europe after a decade, the visit is anticipated to focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the economic tensions between Beijing and Brussels.
His itinerary commences with France where he’ll meet French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday in Paris, before going to the Pyrenees region.
After his France visit, Xi will visit Serbia and Hungary despite Ukraine-Russia’s conflict. These nations continue to maintain strong relations with Russia.
As per Chinese Local media, the streets are decorated with Chinese and French flags. The groups of Chinese nationals will also be there to welcome the president.
However, amidst the enthusiasm, Tibet and Xinjiang campaigners took to the streets to protest against human rights abuses in these regions.
The Human Rights Watch further urged the french president to publicly talk about these issues during Xi’s Paris visit. Including the release of individuals who are arbitrarily detained.
The organization further emphasized that Macron should highlight the issues of repression faced by Tibetan children in boarding schools and erosion of freedom in Hong Kong due to new security laws brought by the Chinese.
“President Macron should make it clear to Xi Jinping that Beijing’s crimes against humanity come with consequences for China’s relations with France…France’s silence and inaction on human rights would only embolden the Chinese government’s sense of impunity for its abuses, further fueling repression at home and abroad.”- Maya Wang, the acting China director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
Meanwhile following Xi’s France visit, the Chinese president will later travel to Serbia (which has recently attracted substantial investment from China) arriving in Belgrade. Will mourn the bombing of the Chinese Embassy. Will later engage with the discussions with President Aleksandar Vucic.
Then On May 8, He will proceed to Budapest, where he’ll hold the talks with Hungarian President Viktor Orban, who enjoys the close ties with Russia within EU. Thus, concluding his European visit.
As for Tibet, macron has recently held a meeting at Elysee Palace on April 30 with Tibetan President in exile Tenpa Tsering, who urged him to not sideline the Tibetan issue.