French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to help end the war in Ukraine and to tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing, where they were also expected to talk about Taiwan.
China has been looking for support from France — one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — in its dispute with Japan over Taiwan’s status.
Tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that a conflict over Taiwan could pose a threat to Japan.
Photo: AFP
On the eve of the Macron-Xi meeting, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) told his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, that as World War II victors, China and France must not allow Japan to “stir up troubles” over Taiwan or repeat historical mistakes.
Macron yesterday did not publicly address Taiwan. In the past few days, French officials have reiterated the need to respect the “one China” policy.
For the French president, making his fourth visit to China while in office, the three-day trip is an opportunity to shore up support for a ceasefire in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, as well as to attract more Chinese investment in France.
Speaking in the Great Hall of the People, where the meeting took place, Xi said he and Macron had agreed to push for more “balanced” economic ties, two-way investment and a “nondiscriminatory” environment for businesses in both countries.
Beijing has long sought to avoid EU tariffs on Chinese products, including steel and electric vehicles that Brussels says are sold at unfair prices due to state subsidies.
Xi also reiterated his support for an end to the hostilities in Ukraine, telling Macron that “China supports all efforts committed to peace and hopes that all parties will reach a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties.”
China — a major Russian trading partner — has said it takes a neutral stance on the war, refraining from condemning Moscow’s invasion.
“We must continue to work towards peace and stability in the world, and in Ukraine and other regions affected by war,” Macron told Xi, adding: “Our capacity to work together is decisive.”
“I hope that China will join our call and our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure,” he said.
Macron’s visit to Beijing follows a trip to Paris by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who urged Europe to stand by Kyiv as Washington pushes a plan to end the war.
China regularly calls for peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, but has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion.
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