Macron’s Hope: Xi Can Help ‘Bring Russia to Senses’.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to use his influence to help end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
At the outset of talks in Beijing, he told Mr. Xi, “I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses.”
Mr. Xi stated that their two nations had the “capability and responsibility” to protect global peace.
China has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while the French president is on a state visit there.
Mr. Macron, accompanied by a large business delegation, is also seeking to strengthen trade ties. He is joined by Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, whom he invited to participate in discussions with the Chinese leadership.
After years of deteriorating relations between the West and China, the visit is being subjected to intense scrutiny.
Mr. Macron was treated to an elaborate military parade in Beijing on Thursday afternoon before meeting with Mr. Xi behind closed doors.
Later in the evening, the two are scheduled to hold a three-way discussion with Ms von der Leyen, who is in Beijing at Mr. Macron’s invitation, and attend a state dinner.
Mr. Macron and Ms. von der Leyen had called for increased dialogue with Beijing during earlier Thursday meetings with other top Chinese officials, including the country’s number two premier, Li Qiang.
As he landed in Beijing on Wednesday, Mr. Macron expressed growing concern over the “inevitable spiral of escalating tensions” between the West and China that the war has stoked.
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But “China’s interest is not a protracted war,” he added, and Beijing could play a “major role” in ending it.
China has released a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine, as part of a recent push to assume a larger role in international diplomacy.
While Western nations have largely rejected the proposals, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called for direct discussions with Mr. Xi, who has not yet responded publicly.
Mr. Macron also rejected the notion of decoupling from the Chinese economy, citing the robust economic ties between France and China.
He is traveling with a delegation of business executives, artists, and museum representatives. They include executives from the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the luxury conglomerate LVMH, and the nuclear energy producer EDF.
The trip to Beijing takes place four years after Mr. Macron’s last visit to Mr. Xi, amid strikes and unrest in France over unpopular pension reforms.
Macron’s Hope: Xi Can Help ‘Bring Russia to Senses’.
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