Macron asks Xi to reason with Russia over Ukraine
● French leader trying to patch up relations with China after years of issues
French President Emmanuel Macron urged China’s Xi Jinping to reason with Russia and help bring an end to the war in Ukraine, as the two held the first of a series of high-level meetings in Beijing.
“The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to [international] stability,” Macron told Xi on Thursday.
“I know I can count on you to bring back Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table.”
Macron’s visit, alongside EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, comes after years of souring relations with Beijing over issues including a stalled investment pact, criticism of China’s transparency on Covid-19 and China’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
But addressing the media after his arrival on Wednesday, Macron said Europe must resist reducing trade and diplomatic ties with China and reject what some have cast as an inescapable spiral of tension between China and the West.
Von der Leyen was to meet Xi later before all three hold trilateral talks in the evening.
Macron held talks with Premier Li Qiang before meeting Xi for an elaborate ceremony outside the Great Hall, where the two leaders witnessed a 21gun salute and strode side-byside along a red carpet as a brass band played their national anthems.
In comments reported by state media CCTV, Xi said China and France had the ability and responsibility to transcend differences and restraints as the world underwent profound historical changes.
Earlier, Li met Von der Leyen who, ahead of her first trip to China since taking office as European Commission president in 2019, said Europe must “de-risk” diplomatically and economically with China.
“Both Europe and China have benefited immensely from this relationship, however, EU-China relations have become more complex in the recent years and it is important that we discuss together all the aspects of our relations today,” Von der Leyen said before meeting Li.
Li said the partnership with the EU and France stood at a new starting point and both parties should adhere to mutual respect and win-win co-operation.
For its part, China is eager to ensure Europe does not follow what it sees as US-led efforts to contain its rise, and there are at least hopes of healing divisions with France.
“Macron’s visit is expected to produce concrete results in furthering economic and trade co-operation between China and France, as well as to increase political mutual trust,” state media outlet Global Times wrote in an editorial.
“It is worth noting that various forces in Europe and the US are paying close attention to Macron’s visit and exerting influence in different directions,” it said.
“In other words, not everyone wants Macron’s visit to go smoothly and successfully.”
Both Macron and Von der Leyen have said they want to persuade China to use its influence over Russia to bring peace in Ukraine, or at least deter Beijing from directly supporting Moscow in the conflict.
Some analysts have suggested the two may adopt a good cop, bad cop role, with the convivial Macron promoting a reset in China-EU ties and Von der Leyen pressing home the thornier issues and red lines in those relations.
While the French business community has welcomed Macron’s overtures to China, not everyone at home agrees that is a good signal to send.
“Three-quarters of the delegation are business leaders: the goal is first and foremost to sign contracts,” European parliament member Raphael Glucksmann wrote on Twitter.
“At a time the debate in Europe focuses on our suicidal dependency on China and Chinese interference, the message is inopportune.