Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Sunday his intention to hold discussions with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, concerning bilateral relations and key regional and global matters during his official visit to France.

Earlier in the day, China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the Chinese leader had landed in Paris.

"During the visit, I will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Emmanuel Macron on the development of China-France and China-EU relations, as well as current important international and regional issues," Xi said in a statement published by CCTV.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions over China's competitive leverage over Europe, especially in the production of electric vehicles. 

China's closeness to Russia has also been a point of contention for the bloc. 

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On April 26, China's Defense Ministry announced that the Chinese and French militaries have initiated an inter-theater dialogue mechanism for collaboration.

According to Wang Xiubin, commander of China's Southern Theater Command, this development aims to enhance mutual trust and cooperation between the two armed forces and contribute to the preservation of regional security and stability.

This announcement follows discussions between Wang and France's joint commander of the Asia-Pacific zone and armed forces in French Polynesia.