The Paris Exception
December 2025 — In the shifting landscape of Eurasian geopolitics, a distinct anomaly has emerged. While relations between Beijing and the traditional European power centers of Berlin, Rome, and London have cooled into stagnation or open friction, Paris has carved out a unique lane of engagement.
Beijing appears to have effectively decoupled its approach to France from the rest of the “Big Four.” While the Sino-German relationship is defined by “de-risking” rhetoric and blocked acquisitions, and London remains frozen out over security concerns, the Sino-French relationship is currently characterized by high-level engagement and selective economic integration.
President Macron has become the primary conduit for EU-China dialogue, with four visits in under three years. In return, Chinese state media frequently praises French “strategic autonomy,” viewing Paris as a vital geopolitical counterweight to U.S. influence in Europe.
Comparative Analysis: The “Big Four”
| Metric | France | Germany | Italy | U.K. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leader Traffic (2023-25) |
4 Visits by Macron; Full honors from Xi. | Scholz: 1 visit (2023); No return invite. | Meloni: 1 visit (G-20); Xi absent since 2019. | Sunak: 0 visits; Xi absent since 2015. |
| Trade Balance (2025) |
Deficit €41bn; Exports +12% (Aero, Pork). | Deficit €84bn; Exports –9%. | Deficit €37bn; Exports only 1.1% of imports. | Deficit €51bn; Fin-services eroded. |
| FDI Stock & Trend |
€22bn; New battery & elder-care parks okayed. | €42bn (Highest); But 2 major takeovers blocked. | €15bn; BRI Withdrawal froze new deals. | €9bn; Screening blocks utility deals. |
| Beijing’s View |
“Preferred Partner” | “Systemic Rival” / Proxy | “Hypocritical” | “Cold War Mentality” |
The Verdict
“Macron currently enjoys the warmest seat in Beijing’s European waiting-room, while Berlin, Rome and London are all standing further from the fireplace.”
Sino-French relations are the smoothest of the four, driven by the new “Silver Economy” roadmap and frequent diplomatic signaling. Conversely, Sino-German ties remain economically huge but politically frigid, while Italy and the UK struggle with the fallout of the BRI exit and AUKUS security pacts respectively.
