French President Emmanuel Macron held crucial talks with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, aiming to leverage Beijing's influence for peace in Ukraine and rebalance a lopsided trade relationship. The high-stakes meeting marks Macron's fourth visit to China since taking office.
Ukraine Ceasefire: A Central Plea to Beijing
President Macron's three-day state visit has a clear primary objective: urging China to use its diplomatic weight to push Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. During the meeting, Macron directly told President Xi that China possesses a "decisive capacity" to influence the course of ceasefire negotiations.
This diplomatic push comes just days after Macron hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, where European allies discussed potential conditions for ending the conflict. China has maintained a nuanced position, calling for peace talks and respect for territorial integrity but never condemning Russia's 2022 invasion.
"Sometimes there are differences, but it is our responsibility to overcome them for the greater good," Macron stated during his discussions with Xi, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions on global crises.
Addressing the Massive Trade Imbalance
Beyond geopolitics, economic concerns formed a core part of the agenda. The European Union is grappling with a staggering trade deficit of €306.2 billion (roughly $348 billion) with China. For France alone, trade with China accounts for a substantial 46% of its total trade deficit.
Macron's office stated he is committed to defending "fair and reciprocal market access" for French businesses. France is actively seeking greater investment from Chinese companies and improved access to the vast Chinese market. Officials from both nations are expected to sign several agreements covering key sectors like energy, the food industry, and aviation.
Previously, Macron has advocated for the EU to reduce its strategic dependencies on China and promote a "European preference" in critical technology sectors.
Solidifying a Strategic Partnership
In response to Macron's outreach, President Xi Jinping expressed China's willingness to strengthen bilateral ties. Xi stated that China is ready to work with France to "make the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France more stable."
Ahead of the meeting, Macron had framed the discussions on social media platform X, noting they would focus "on peace and economic rebalancing, which the world so desperately needs." Following his meetings in Beijing, Macron is scheduled to travel to Chengdu on Friday for another engagement with President Xi, underscoring the depth and ongoing nature of this diplomatic dialogue.
