Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the southern French city of Nice at noon on Sunday, before heading to the Principality of Monaco for a state visit. 

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by senior government officials of Monaco and France at the airport.

Xi then continued his journey to Monaco, about 20 kilometers northeast of Nice.

Monaco is the second leg of Xi's three-nation European tour, following the conclusion of his state visit to Italy, which has formally joined the construction of the Belt and Road.

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Xi is on his first overseas trip for the year after the Chinese government pledged to further open up its market at a major political gathering in March.