Macron arrives in China for talks with Xi on trade ties and Russia's war in Ukraine

BEIJING: Emmanuel Macron arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomatic talks as the French president seeks to enlist Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Macron will advocate an agenda of cooperation in economic and trade matters aimed at achieving a balance that ensures “sustainable, solid growth that benefits everyone,” his office said.

France is aiming to attract more investment from Chinese companies and facilitate market access for French exports. During the visit, officials from both nations are expected to sign several agreements in the energy, food industry and aviation sectors.

Macron is committed to defending “fair and reciprocal market access,” his office said.

He and his wife Brigitte wore open overcoats against the winter chill as they stepped off a plane after nightfall at an airport in Beijing and walked down a red‑carpeted jetway. They were greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who spoke with Macron before the French leader and his wife departed in a limousine.

They are expected to visit the 18th‑century Qianlong Garden complex in the Forbidden City, the former palace of China’s emperors, on Wednesday evening. The garden, which dates from the Qing dynasty, recently reopened to the public after a major renovation.

France will host the Group of Seven summit in 2026, while China will chair the 21‑member Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which includes the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Russia.

The 27‑nation bloc runs a large trade deficit with China — over €300 billion ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of France’s total trade deficit.

France and the European Union have described China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by multiple trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies. China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.

In July, Macron welcomed exemptions for most cognac producers as a positive step. France is China’s leading supplier of wine and spirits.

Macron’s talks with President Xi Jinping will also address Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly following a meeting on Monday in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire.

“What we want ... is that China can convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as quickly as possible and consolidate that ceasefire through negotiations which, in our view, should lead to solid security guarantees for Ukraine,” a senior French diplomatic official said.

Paris expects Beijing to “refrain from providing Russia with any means whatsoever to continue the war,” the official said, speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week that Beijing believes in “dialogue and negotiation” to resolve the Ukraine war and supports “all efforts” leading to peace. Since the beginning of the conflict, China “has played a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of the crisis,” she said.

On Thursday, Macron will meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders will then participate in a Franco‑Chinese business forum. In the afternoon, Macron’s agenda includes talks with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in Sichuan province.

On Friday, Macron and Xi will have talks in Dujiangyan, on the site of one of the world’s oldest irrigation systems. Macron will later meet students from Sichuan University.

Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France and named by Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month returned to China a pair of star giant pandas that had lived in the country for 13 years and given birth to three cubs.

By RSS/AP