The French president, accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, says he wants to be “a voice uniting Europe” on the conflict in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron says he is counting on his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to its senses” about its war in Ukraine.
The French president made it clear during a three-day state visit on Thursday that he wants to dissuade China from supporting Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
“I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and bring everyone to the negotiating table,” the French head of state told Xi at a bilateral meeting in Beijing.
In a joint statement following those talks, the two leaders reaffirmed their call for peace talks between Kiev and Moscow “as soon as possible”.
The men also reaffirmed their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons during the conflict.
On the occasion of their meeting, China’s state broadcaster CCTV released a report in which Xi praised China’s “positive and firm” ties with France as the world undergoes “profound historical changes”.
‘Big roll’
Macron said during his trip that Beijing can play an “important role” in finding a path to peace in the conflict and welcomed China’s “willingness to commit to a solution”.
His visit to China – the first since 2019 – comes as Western pressure on Beijing mounts to promote peace in Ukraine.
Although Beijing is officially neutral, Xi has never condemned the Russian invasion. While he recently went to Moscow to reaffirm his alliance with Vladimir Putin – framed as an anti-Western front – Xi has not spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The talks were “candid and constructive,” the Elysee Palace said, while Beijing said the talks were “friendly” and “in-depth.”
Macron, who will be accompanied on his visit by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, said he wants to be “a voice that unites Europe” over Ukraine, and by coming to China with her he “serves the consistency of this approach”.
However, Nicholas Bequelin, of Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, said it was unusual for Macron and von der Leyen to travel to Beijing together “and quite confusing.”
“There are currently two messages coming out of Europe: one that is conciliatory and seeks to see China as an economic partner it has been for the past several decades, and as an inevitable superpower of tomorrow that must be accommodated in some way.” Bequelin told Al Jazeera.
“And then there’s a much harder line that sees China as a strategic rival — a threat to global order — and one that needs to be contained.”
Some analysts suggested Macron and von der Leyen could take on a “good cop, bad cop” role in Beijing, with the gregarious Frenchman promoting a “reset” in ties, and the EU chief tackling the thornier issues and red lines in describing relationships.
‘Volatile geopolitical environment’
China, for its part, is keen to ensure that Europe does not follow what it sees as US-led efforts to contain its rise, and there is at least hope of healing the divisions with France.
“Macron’s visit is expected to yield concrete results in promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and France, and enhance mutual political confidence,” the state media outlet Global Times wrote in an editorial.
“It is worth noting that various forces in Europe and the US are closely monitoring Macron’s visit and exerting influence in different directions. In other words, not everyone wants Macron’s visit to China to go smoothly and successfully.”
Von der Leyen said EU-China relations have become “complex” in recent years.
“It’s important that we discuss all aspects of this relationship together today,” she said, especially in the current “unstable geopolitical environment.”
In addition to talks about Ukraine, Macron’s journey has an important economic component, with the French leader keen to establish a crucial trade partnership.
Macron will be accompanied on his visit by more than 50 French business leaders, including top bosses from Airbus, EDF and Veolia.
Airbus announced Thursday that it will open a second assembly line in China, doubling production capacity in the country.