<gu-island name="KeyEventsCarousel" priority="feature" deferuntil="visible" props="{"keyEvents":[{"id":"6639e3a38f08cb3df581bb0e","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Polish services have found and dismantled bugging devices in a room where the council of ministers was scheduled to meet today, Reuters reported.
","elementId":"e390352d-79bb-4b44-a82f-fc2e758c615e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
“The State Protection Service, in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency, detected and dismantled devices that could be used for eavesdropping in the room where the meeting of the Council of Ministers is to be held today in Katowice”, Jacek Dobrzyński, the special services coordinator’s spokesperson, wrote on social media.
","elementId":"5c890665-ba41-433c-8604-e79250a7b859"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
“The services are carrying out further activities in this matter,” Dobrzyński added.
","elementId":"697bba1d-ff57-4be7-b164-309bccba5644"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement","source":"Twitter","id":"1787729928173019492","elementId":"e337720f-198a-46f1-a042-c5217b565c76","hasMedia":false,"role":"inline","url":"https://twitter.com/JacekDobrzynski/status/1787729928173019492","isThirdPartyTracking":false,"html":"
Służba Ochrony Państwa we współpracy z Agencją Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego wykryła i zdemontowała urządzenia mogące służyć do podsłuchu w sali gdzie dziś w Katowicach ma odbyć się posiedzenie Rady Ministrów. Służby prowadzą dalsze czynności w tej sprawie pic.twitter.com/OOdZPSiifU
— Jacek Dobrzyński (@JacekDobrzynski) May 7, 2024
\n\n"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1715070824000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockLastUpdated":1715074262000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"10.31 BST","blockFirstPublished":1715074263000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"10.31 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"10.31","title":"Bugging devices found in Polish government room","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 7 May 2024 10.31 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 7 May 2024 09.33 BST"},{"id":"6639e1eb8f080b5e6ba9460e","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Officially, Xi’s visit to Paris is to mark 60 years since diplomatic relations were established between France and China: France was the first western country to formally recognise the People’s Republic of China, on 27 January 1964.
","elementId":"cc624c7c-56d4-40dc-8ce4-488dea50e03a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
His visit to Belgrade coincides with the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia, when three people died after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.
","elementId":"fb060f03-a532-4397-9b57-5acd3d4a590d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
In Serbia, where China is the biggest single source of inward investment, he will hope to play up Beijing’s anti-US, anti-Nato agenda – one reason why China has maintained its support for Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
","elementId":"71b12065-1fb0-4223-bfae-347661f16622"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
In Hungary, Xi will underline the close economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, including in security cooperation, and discuss progress on China’s belt and road initiative, which includes a high-speed Budapest-Belgrade rail link.
","elementId":"f67bf126-2f02-4d29-bccd-81a03a2ca4fc"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Hungary, a vocal supporter of China that has blocked some EU motions criticising Beijing on human rights, has Huawei’s largest base outside China and will soon host the carmaker BYD’s first European factory.
","elementId":"92d1864a-b2db-4f7a-a23d-fed3eb36eaf6"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Read the full story here.
","elementId":"354fdd3e-ae7b-457c-98ce-0c885dacdf37"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1715070824000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockLastUpdated":1715072453000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"10.00 BST","blockFirstPublished":1715072453000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"10.00 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"10.00","title":"What is the purpose of Xi’s visit?","contributors":[{"name":"Jon Henley","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2016/09/22/Jon-Henley.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=49db88bf6fc8b042c62d52be8afd87ae","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2017/10/06/Jon_Henley,_L.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=cf23d4c141249ac9dd9f5c331c359f12"}],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 7 May 2024 10.31 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 7 May 2024 09.33 BST"},{"id":"6639ddf08f08cb3df581baed","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Good morning and welcome to the blog.
","elementId":"a20763bf-422a-4705-b4e2-41e746884d54"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
","elementId":"78fa0765-3765-4697-bd9a-04af23629f43"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1715070824000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockLastUpdated":1715070810000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockFirstPublished":1715070824000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"09.33","title":"Welcome to the blog","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 7 May 2024 10.31 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 7 May 2024 09.33 BST"},{"id":"6639de478f080b5e6ba945fa","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, is beginning the second day of his closely-watched trip to Europe.
","elementId":"904d679e-7ac7-4b66-a4a4-f34bb23f112e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
He will have lunch with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, before heading to Serbia.
","elementId":"626aa36e-9a4c-479d-bf5f-dbd820761557"},{"displayCredit":true,"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement","role":"inline","media":{"allImages":[{"index":0,"fields":{"height":"3069","width":"5112"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/5112.jpg"},{"index":1,"fields":{"isMaster":"true","height":"3069","width":"5112"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg"},{"index":2,"fields":{"height":"1200","width":"2000"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/2000.jpg"},{"index":3,"fields":{"height":"600","width":"1000"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/1000.jpg"},{"index":4,"fields":{"height":"300","width":"500"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/500.jpg"},{"index":5,"fields":{"height":"84","width":"140"},"mediaType":"Image","mimeType":"image/jpeg","url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/140.jpg"}]},"elementId":"dc409364-bc9e-455d-9b89-e40684daad53","imageSources":[{"weighting":"inline","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=38e1bb36c5418a36235fca682c3974d5","width":620},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a1d87fc7f1faf87582a01ab26f1ee80e","width":1240},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=88066462ed5d6db218b9d43a6e6152d3","width":605},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=9ecc0a0353c588eefe6eaacbc2cccd07","width":1210},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=410cebfc7a24eafde4c66335f1c4329a","width":445},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=168d7d55144f9bcbdc3572aea4c1b33f","width":890}]},{"weighting":"thumbnail","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=b97a251d5dcac2d9cb4c9c3e67b33ac7","width":140},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=140&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a6ea65d3459b759bd5a6c81501f691cc","width":280},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=120&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=2257dcd6caa3438c286c522765fecbd2","width":120},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=120&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=e8b95b28bce1be82b84a604a267658bb","width":240}]},{"weighting":"supporting","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=380&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=530e7f6b719315848ce482d24d69113a","width":380},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=380&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=d36863374b69a7c80f2042bddc8c89d8","width":760},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=fba39b49517b93348149dcf2819b23e9","width":300},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=300&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=94877b19ea69ccadd4a1ce16c5ffec33","width":600},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=38e1bb36c5418a36235fca682c3974d5","width":620},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a1d87fc7f1faf87582a01ab26f1ee80e","width":1240},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=88066462ed5d6db218b9d43a6e6152d3","width":605},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=9ecc0a0353c588eefe6eaacbc2cccd07","width":1210},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=410cebfc7a24eafde4c66335f1c4329a","width":445},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=168d7d55144f9bcbdc3572aea4c1b33f","width":890}]},{"weighting":"showcase","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=860&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=86b3c1a4127dff6bccf6a07529a65b33","width":860},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=860&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2e3869a616c76827eadf08c313e70cc3","width":1720},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=780&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=bc4fd37c9a182ac95ff60eb66c4680f2","width":780},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=780&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3bb460fe1a30f4251aeadf9ece74c29d","width":1560},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=38e1bb36c5418a36235fca682c3974d5","width":620},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a1d87fc7f1faf87582a01ab26f1ee80e","width":1240},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=88066462ed5d6db218b9d43a6e6152d3","width":605},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=9ecc0a0353c588eefe6eaacbc2cccd07","width":1210},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=410cebfc7a24eafde4c66335f1c4329a","width":445},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=168d7d55144f9bcbdc3572aea4c1b33f","width":890}]},{"weighting":"halfwidth","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=38e1bb36c5418a36235fca682c3974d5","width":620},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a1d87fc7f1faf87582a01ab26f1ee80e","width":1240},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=88066462ed5d6db218b9d43a6e6152d3","width":605},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=9ecc0a0353c588eefe6eaacbc2cccd07","width":1210},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=410cebfc7a24eafde4c66335f1c4329a","width":445},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=168d7d55144f9bcbdc3572aea4c1b33f","width":890}]},{"weighting":"immersive","srcSet":[{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7514fd6d5e985348fb8723fe54171e73","width":1900},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1900&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=c6dd6241fece4bee1c506d9b7c3827a9","width":3800},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=8bf5aec586501d6685a0affaaafb4734","width":1300},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1300&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2c4c93649e965b0c4823b28248afcd96","width":2600},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=211b2dc8a54ed9508d6439e3566b3c9c","width":1140},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=1140&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=94a16154ce08839c45fb231a8a01a66c","width":2280},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=980&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=de081a9221573c00e5d195b8bbaa188e","width":980},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=980&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=18d5cf48ae959ac04bd87d616baa8868","width":1960},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=740&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=c0b0947886c0a5737a37edaa8266b0a0","width":740},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=740&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=cbfab6454bdd87147e0f47012844200f","width":1480},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=660&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=9bd2c1c956f5f512cfb26f7e730b153d","width":660},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=660&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=f3138f8e8e24ddcb2cd8cef0b01f0255","width":1320},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=480&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=9eedfee693c752eba0f715e850dd3cc6","width":480},{"src":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e5a76049035d56ba26f84e8d9130fe6d2d5afb8/0_0_5112_3069/master/5112.jpg?width=480&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=f7055542c375872a95f0ccf686602ad2","width":960}]}],"data":{"alt":"France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday.","caption":"France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday. ","credit":"Photograph: Daniel Pier/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock"}}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1715070824000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockLastUpdated":1715070816000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockFirstPublished":1715070824000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"09.33 BST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"09.33","title":"Xi begins second day of Europe visit","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Tue 7 May 2024 10.31 BST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 7 May 2024 09.33 BST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile"}” config=”{"renderingTarget":"Web","darkModeAvailable":false,"assetOrigin":"https://assets.guim.co.uk/"}”>
Key events
Bugging devices found in Polish government room
Polish services have found and dismantled bugging devices in a room where the council of ministers was scheduled to meet today, Reuters reported.
“The State Protection Service, in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency, detected and dismantled devices that could be used for eavesdropping in the room where the meeting of the Council of Ministers is to be held today in Katowice”, Jacek Dobrzyński, the special services coordinator’s spokesperson, wrote on social media.
“The services are carrying out further activities in this matter,” Dobrzyński added.
Służba Ochrony Państwa we współpracy z Agencją Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego wykryła i zdemontowała urządzenia mogące służyć do podsłuchu w sali gdzie dziś w Katowicach ma odbyć się posiedzenie Rady Ministrów. Służby prowadzą dalsze czynności w tej sprawie pic.twitter.com/OOdZPSiifU
— Jacek Dobrzyński (@JacekDobrzynski) May 7, 2024
\n\n"}}” config=”{"renderingTarget":"Web","darkModeAvailable":false,"assetOrigin":"https://assets.guim.co.uk/"}”>
Służba Ochrony Państwa we współpracy z Agencją Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego wykryła i zdemontowała urządzenia mogące służyć do podsłuchu w sali gdzie dziś w Katowicach ma odbyć się posiedzenie Rady Ministrów. Służby prowadzą dalsze czynności w tej sprawie pic.twitter.com/OOdZPSiifU
— Jacek Dobrzyński (@JacekDobrzynski) May 7, 2024
Lisa O’Carroll
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has hit out against Nato over the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia, when three people died in 1999 after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.
In a letter to Serbian website Politika ahead of his visit to Serbia on Tuesday, Xi said China should “never forget” the bombing which killed three Chinese journalists.
He said:
25 years ago, Nato flagrantly bombed the Chinese embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, killing 3 Chinese journalists, namely Shao Yunhuan, Xu Singhu and his wife Zhu Ying.
We must never forget this. The Chinese people value peace, but they will never allow a historical tragedy to repeat itself. The friendship between China and Serbia, which is soaked in the shared blood of the two nations, has become the common memory of the two nations and will encourage both sides to take big steps forward together.
In his lengthy letter, Xi pledged to “expand the comprehensive strategic partnership” with Serbia and commended president Aleksandar Vučić for “preserving national sovereignty” and “opposing the interference of any force in Serbian internal affairs”.
What is the purpose of Xi’s visit?
Jon Henley
Officially, Xi’s visit to Paris is to mark 60 years since diplomatic relations were established between France and China: France was the first western country to formally recognise the People’s Republic of China, on 27 January 1964.
His visit to Belgrade coincides with the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia, when three people died after a US strike accidentally hit the compound during Nato’s air campaign against Serb forces occupying Kosovo.
In Serbia, where China is the biggest single source of inward investment, he will hope to play up Beijing’s anti-US, anti-Nato agenda – one reason why China has maintained its support for Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
In Hungary, Xi will underline the close economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, including in security cooperation, and discuss progress on China’s belt and road initiative, which includes a high-speed Budapest-Belgrade rail link.
Hungary, a vocal supporter of China that has blocked some EU motions criticising Beijing on human rights, has Huawei’s largest base outside China and will soon host the carmaker BYD’s first European factory.
Read the full story here.
A joint press conference by Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron after talks on the first day of the visit glossed over the thorny question of trade relations between their two countries.
A bottle of exclusive Louis XIII cognac was among the gifts Macron gave Xi, a nod to Beijing opening an anti-dumping investigation into French cognac.
Macron praised his counterpart for his “open attitude” towards the inquiry and added France hoped its products could continue having access to the Chinese market.
Earlier, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “convinced that if the competition is fair” from China, then Europe “will have thriving durable economies”.
But she said the “imbalances” caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-cost products threatened jobs in Europe, and that was “a matter of great concern”.
“Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security,” she said.
Read the full story here, from Lisa O’Carroll and Kim Willsher
Xi begins second day of Europe visit
Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, is beginning the second day of his closely-watched trip to Europe.
He will have lunch with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, before heading to Serbia.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome to the blog.
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.