Why France? China’s Xi Jinping’s First Stop in Europe

Europe has long been seen as America’s staunchest ally, yet as the United States continues to escalate pressure on China, German Chancellor Scholz visited China and showed goodwill toward China, followed closely by French President Macron successfully inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Europe, marking his first visit to Europe in five years. Is Europe truly seeking strategic autonomy and striving for its own interests?