Since winning the election in May, French President Emmanuel Macron has kept a full foreign policy agenda. In the last seven months, the leader received U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris, presented proposals to reform the European Union and tried to mediate between the factions that fight to control Libya — just to name a few examples . Macron's arrival in China on Jan. 8 is yet another facet of his strategy to elevate France's role in global affairs at a time when other big European players, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, are focusing on domestic issues. Macron has a lengthy set of goals when it comes to China. As indicated by his decision to travel with some 50 French businessmen, the president is interested in the trade and investment opportunities that the Asian giant offers to French companies.