In Europe, Xi looks to counter claims it’s aiding Russia in Ukraine

Hong Kong CNN —

Xi Jinping pushed back against allegations of his country’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during meetings with European leaders, as the Chinese leader makes a six-day visit to the continent amid a period of rising China-Europe tensions spurred by concerns of Beijing’s close to ties Moscow.

“China is neither the creator of the crisis, nor a party to it or a participant. But we are also not a bystander, we have always been actively contributing to reaching peace,” Xi said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris Monday, following a day of meetings that also included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“We also oppose using the Ukraine crisis to shed responsibility or defame a third country and provoke a new Cold War,” Xi added, in an apparent reference to allegations from Washington about the role of Chinese “dual use” exports like machine tools and microelectronicsin supporting Russia’s defense industry.

European trade frictions with China and suspicions over its global ambitions ramped up in the wake of the war, after Beijing refused to condemn the invasion and instead emerged as a key lifeline for the heavily sanctioned Russian economy.

Xi’s visit to Europe – his first in five years – is viewed by Beijing as an opportunity for the leader to present China’s own narrative on its role in the conflict playing out in Europe directly to leaders there – while seeking to open up space between the views of Washington and its European allies.

The trip will also see Xi visit Serbia and Hungary, with the leader’s visit to Belgrade coinciding with the 25th anniversary of NATO’s bombing of the Chinese embassy in the city that killed three.

“The Chinese