Chinese President Xi Jinping is kicking off a three-country trip to Europe with the continent divided over how to deal with Beijing’s growing power and the U.S.

On his first visit to Europe in five years, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, appears intent on seizing opportunities to loosen the continent’s bonds with the United States and forge a world freed of American dominance.

When Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Italy for a state visit in 2019, he was given a lavish welcome, with private tours of Roman landmarks and a dinner serenaded by opera singer Andrea Bocelli, topped with a crowning flourish – Italy’s decision to join Xi’s signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Europe on Sunday, on a trip that will take him to France, Hungary and Serbia. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal received Xi in Paris on Sunday afternoon. Talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled for Monday.

According to the New York Times, Xi seeks to showcase China's increasing influence in Europe and pursue a practical reconciliation. He aims to foster a pragmatic reconciliation amid strained relations with several European nations over China's alignment with Russia,

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, landed at Paris Orly airport on Sunday afternoon and were welcomed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Xi has timed his arrival at his second stop, Serbia, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the deadly NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war.

Chinese premier Xi Jinping will be on a five-day trip to Europe from 5 May. His first stop is France, where Emmanuel Macron will host him. A trilateral meeting between the two leaders and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is also in the cards.