President Xi's visit to Monaco marks new era in relationship

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Monaco on Sunday, marking the first time a Chinese head of state has visited the Principality.

A welcoming ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping is held in the Royal Palace in Monaco, March 24, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua]

The welcome provided by Monaco was seen across the small country off the southern coast of France, with flags of both China and Monaco lining the streets.

As promised, intimate interaction

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st L) pose for a group photo with Prince Albert II (2nd R) and his wife Princess Charlene in Monaco, March 24, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Prince Albert II, the reigning monarch, said in an earlier interview that it would be a huge honor to host President Xi in Monaco. He disclosed that he extended the invitation to President Xi when visiting China last September.

Discussing bilateral ties on Sunday, President Xi suggested that though the two countries differ in cultural and historical conditions, they share similar values, which explains the strong bilateral ties. He pointed out that both countries should continue building political trust, strengthening coordination in terms of international affairs and deepening win-win cooperation.

Trade volumes between the two countries through August last year reached 125 million US dollars, an increase of 876.8% year-on-year, among which cooperation in the digital economy and mobile communications was at the forefront.

Both heads of state also stressed environmental protection. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has initiated several projects to monitor and protect wild cats in China, including leopards and Siberian tigers, and is now planning to set up a new office in Beijing. President Xi says that the foundation is welcome in China to carry out environmental protection projects.

Street scenes of Monaco, March 24, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Prince Albert II told Xi that his administration is willing to cooperate with China in many fields, including technology, innovation, ecological protection, wildlife protection and renewable energy. He praised China's leading role in protecting the global climate, saying Monaco is ready to support China as the latter will host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity next year.

Since 1993, Prince Albert II has paid 10 visits to China. The connection between the two leaders springs from a variety of shared interests, including sports and environmental protection. To honor Xi's state visit to the country, the commander of Monaco's Honor Guard greeted the president in Chinese during the welcoming ceremony, while local children performed songs and recited poems also in Chinese during the banquet at the Royal Palace.

Zhang Zhang, a violinist of Chinese origin from the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, says the interaction between the first ladies impressed her a lot. She performed Bach, as well as Chinese folk songs for the first ladies.

A "Chinese vibe" in Monaco

Students from the Collège Charles III of Monaco practice writing Chinese characters. [Photo: China Plus]

President Xi Jinping's visit has been headline news for media outlets in Monaco. The Monaco government set up a news center next to the Royal Palace, making it easier for reporters to do their work.

"Do you know your country's president is coming to Monaco? It is a big deal in Monaco in recent days," said a book booth owner while speaking with a Chinese journalist, "Basically all the newspapers are reporting on Xi's visit, and China's national flag can be seen everywhere."

Local journalist Monica Corgnati told Chinese media, "I believe President Xi's visit is not only a great opportunity for both peoples to increase their understanding, but also will bring benefits to Monaco in terms of tourism, real estate and so on."

"It is a historic moment," proclaimed a report in local newspaper Monaco Matin.