France wants China to send ‘clear message’ to Russia over Ukraine war
France’s top diplomat yesterday said Paris expects China to send “clear messages” to its close partner Russia over its war in Ukraine, after meetings with his counterpart here.
France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years. In Paris in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country’s “independent” stance.
Paris has sought to press Beijing on its close ties with Moscow, with Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne saying it wanted “China to send very clear messages to Russia” over its war in Ukraine.
“We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians,” he told a press conference here alongside Wang. “There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law.”
China, he said, could play a “key role” in ensuring respect for international law is maintained.
Sejourne’s visit is the second by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following a trip by his predecessor, Catherine Colonna, in November. Macron also visited last April, receiving a rock star welcome at a university in southern China from hundreds of screaming students and fans.
But he faced accusations of cosying up to Beijing and sparked controversy by saying Europe shouldn’t be a “follower” of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan.
France’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing come as the European Union seeks to shield itself from excessive reliance on China.
That “derisking” emerged in recent months as a core pillar of the European bloc’s economic policy towards China, becoming necessary after the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The term contrasts with the more drastic approach known as “decoupling”, pursued by some policymakers in the US who aim to isolate China or cut all commercial ties with the country.
But the EU increasingly views China as a “partner”, but also as “an economic competitor and systemic rival”, a report by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China said last month.
Yesterday, Sejourne said decoupling was not on the cards.
But, he said, an “economic rebalancing” was needed to ensure trade is “healthy and sustainable”.
Wang said he “appreciates” Sejourne’s rejection of decoupling.
“It is not possible to decouple from China and decoupling from China is the biggest risk.
“I believe it has been proved, and will continue to prove, that China is an opportunity and not a risk for Europe.”