Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with the leaders of France, Germany and the European Commission, as European countries seek to boost relations with China while also putting pressure over its trade practices.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker came to Paris to join Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron for Tuesday's meeting. The leaders are notably preparing for a crucial EU-China summit.
Tuesday's meeting is a key moment in Xi's European tour, which has involved huge business contracts, including one of the biggest deals ever for European plane maker Airbus.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hand with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. Chinese President Xi Jinping was greeted with full honors Monday during a state visit to France in which he is expected to sign multibillion-dollar deals on energy, the food industry, transport and other sectors as well as a bilateral statement on climate change. (Yoan ValatPool Photo via AP)
Xi also received the full honors of a formal reception in the French presidential palace Monday night.
The EU is China's biggest trade partner and wants to solidify that relationship.
President of Airbus's commercial aircraft business, Guillaume Faury, right, and Chairman of China Aviation Supplies Co. (CASC) Jia Baojun, left, shake hands during an agreement signing ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. Chinese President Xi Jinping was greeted with full honors Monday during a state visit to France in which he is expected to sign multibillion-dollar deals on energy, the food industry, transport and other sectors as well as a bilateral statement on climate change. (Yoan ValatPool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron, 2nd right, his wife Brigitte Macron, right, Chinese President President Xi Jinping, second left, and his wife Peng Liyuan, left, pose prior to a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a 3-day state visit in France where he is expected to sign a series of bilateral and economic deals on energy, the food industry, transport and other sectors. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
French President Emmanuel Macron, third right, speaks flanked by his wife Brigitte Macron, second left, Chinese President Xi Jinping third left, his wife Peng Liyuan , second right, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, right, and President of the French National Assembly RIchard Ferrand, left, during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, March 25, 2019. Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a 3-day state visit in France where he is expected to sign a series of bilateral and economic deals on energy, the food industry, transport and other sectors. (Ludovic MarinPool Photo via AP)