Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks with European leaders in three countries during a six-day tour that begins on Sunday.

Xi will travel to France, Serbia and Hungary. It will be the Chinese leader's first trip to Europe in five years.

In France, Xi is scheduled to meet with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. They will discuss bilateral relations and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The visit will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France.

Xi is also expected to hold three-way talks in France with Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The three will discuss China-EU relations.

The Chinese president is expected to meet President Aleksandar Vucic in Serbia. He will also meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary. The leaders will discuss what has been achieved through China's Belt and Road initiative.

The Chinese foreign ministry believes Xi's visits will be important for relations between China and Europe. It also believes the tour will contribute to world peace and development.

Xi recently held meetings in China with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Beijing appears to be trying to strengthen ties with European nations as a way of keeping the United States in check.

The two countries are at odds with each other over security and advanced technology.