On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in China for a visit in which he hopes to prevent China from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while also developing closer ties with a crucial trade partner.
Macron will look to stand firm on Ukraine during talks with his counterpart Chinese President Xi Jinping and suggest “another path” from the directly confrontational tone usually heard from the United States, an official from his office told reporters ahead of the three-day trip.
Macron’s aims include maintaining and rebalancing China’s trade relations with Europe as well as protecting French interests in the Asia-Pacific region, where Paris sees itself as a player due to its overseas territories and military deployments.
On the eve of his visit, Macron discussed his trip to China and support for Ukraine during a phone call with US President Joe Biden, the White House said.
According to a French diplomatic source, the two leaders said they want China to help “accelerate” the search for a solution to the war. The discussion showed the “common will of France and the United States to engage the Chinese to accelerate with us the end of the war in Ukraine and build a everlasting peace”, the source said.
The US and French presidents also hope to “obtain from the Chinese a contribution to the global effort of North-South solidarity” and to build “a common agenda” on climate and biodiversity. Macron landed in Beijing around 3:15 pm (0715 GMT), the Elysee Palace and Chinese state media said.
He is set to meet French residents in the capital before talks on Thursday with Chinese leaders and a state dinner in the evening.
On Friday he will travel to Guangzhou in southern China to meet local students, taking with him a broad delegation of top politicians, business leaders, and even celebrities, including composer Jean-Michel Jarre.
