Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to embark on a visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary starting from May 5, marking his first trip to Europe since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as announced by China's foreign ministry on Monday. This visit has the potential to deepen divisions among European leaders regarding China's role in Europe's clean energy transition and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent visit to China saw him cautioning Xi Jinping against China's overcapacity in the green tech sector, specifically solar panels and electric vehicles. European Union leaders believe that such excessive trade practices by Chinese companies are undermining European counterparts. As a result, all eyes are on Xi to see if he will address these concerns during his tour.

Another key consideration during Xi's European visit is the increasing worries among Western leaders that China could play a more active role in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Observers are keen to see if Xi attempts to influence Europe's security policy in this regard.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for European "strategic autonomy" as a counterbalance to the influence of both the United States and Asia. Macron articulated that Europe must demonstrate its independence and influence, asserting it should never be subservient to the United States. While some EU officials believe the US is essential for the bloc's security, Macron's stance is seen as a promotion of French industrial interests, particularly in military hardware manufacturing.

Hungary's right-wing government, facing financial constraints due to the freezing of EU infrastructure funding over concerns of democratic backsliding, has, in contrast to other EU leaders, embraced closer ties with China. Budapest has become a hub for Chinese investments in electric vehicle parts and batteries. However, experts believe that Hungary's cozy relationship with Beijing might be a strategic move to gain more financial support from the EU. Hungary has leveraged its reliance on Chinese financing, threatening to increase it if the EU does not release the blocked cohesion funds.

Xi's visit to Serbia, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1999 bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by the US, is significant. The incident, which resulted in the loss of three Chinese journalists' lives, fueled Beijing's anti-NATO stance and its alignment with Russia. Some Chinese view the bombing as intentional, despite former US President Bill Clinton's apology and acknowledgment of an error caused by outdated maps. By visiting a European country that has not supported Western sanctions on Russia, China may be signaling its support of Russia and deepening its partnership with Moscow.

Xi Jinping's European tour not only carries implications for divisions over clean energy and concerns about China's geopolitical influence but also highlights China's solidarity with Russia. As this diplomatic visit unfolds, the world will closely watch the outcomes and assess their impact on European politics and international dynamics.