View source for State visits by Xi Jinping to Italy and France

President Xi Jinping of China visited Italy and France from 21–26 March 2019, marking his second trip to Southern Europe in five months and the first state visit to these countries in 10 and 5 years, respectively. The visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of China-France relations. Xi also met with Albert II, Prince of Monaco, as part of a broader European tour.

In Italy, Xi was welcomed by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace, where they held bilateral talks and laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On 22 March, Xi participated in business, cultural, and cooperation forums with Italian leaders and signed 29 agreements worth over €7 billion, including a memorandum on the Belt and Road Initiative. The visit concluded with a state dinner hosted by Mattarella.

In France, Xi met President Emmanuel Macron in Nice and later in Paris, where they visited the Arc de Triomphe and held talks at the Elysee Palace. Fifteen commercial agreements were signed, including a $34 billion deal between China Aviation Supplies Holding Company and Airbus. Xi also discussed global issues like multilateralism and African development with Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Both visits highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative as a key topic of discussion.