Xi Jinping ended his European trip by projecting a stark message: that despite frictions with much of the continent, China still has fans in some European capitals.

Xi Jinping, China’s leader, arrived in France yesterday on his first trip to Europe in five years. He will also visit Serbia and Hungary.

President Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe had an interesting, although unsurprising route. Next to France, he visited Serbia and Hungary, whose respective leaders have shown affinity to the Chinese president and Chinese investments.