[Dong Ming, special correspondent of Global Times in France] After French President Macron was interviewed on TV on Wednesday, the wave of protests against the reform of the retirement system in the French has become increasingly violent. According to Agence France-Presse reported on the 24th, King Charles III of England, who was scheduled to leave for France this Sunday, will postpone his visit. Macron said on the 24th that the trip may be adjusted to early summer. Reuters commented that the postponement of the visit plan would be a "great embarrassment" for Macron. In his original vision, Charles III’s visit would mark a symbolic step taken by France and Britain to resolve the bad relations between the two countries after Britain left the European Union.
According to reports, this trip to France should have been Charles III’s first overseas visit since he ascended the throne, but his visit to Germany will continue as planned next week. A British government spokesman said: "After the French President asked the British government to postpone the visit plan, the relevant decision was made with the consent of all parties." Buckingham Palace said that the king and queen of England "are very much looking forward to visiting France as soon as the date is set".
According to Agence France-Presse reported on the 24th, French Interior Minister Darmanin said in an interview that 457 people were arrested and 441 security personnel were injured in the protests that swept the country on the 23rd. A large number of demonstrations broke out throughout the country, and some of them turned violent, especially in Paris. French police believe that many NGOs have been mixed into the protesters in Paris. These violent elements not only burned trash cans during demonstrations, but also smashed shop windows on the street. According to the report, during the most violent protest day since January, there were 903 fire spots on the streets of Paris.
Violence has spread from the capital Paris to other provinces. In Bordeaux, a wine-producing region in southwest France, there were also clashes between protesters and police, and the gate of the city hall was set on fire. Paris and Bordeaux are exactly on the route that King Charles III of England originally planned to visit France. Before the news of the postponement of the visit came out, the French trade union organization that called for the general strike even said that "the red carpet for welcoming the king of England could not be paved." Ricketts, former British ambassador to France, commented on 24th that postponing the visit was a "difficult decision, but understandable". "A state visit is a time to celebrate, and now is not the time." He wrote on Twitter.