Macron, Xi focus on trade, world conflicts during talks in France
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday that focused on trade disputes and Ukraine-related diplomatic efforts.
Xi was in France for a twoday state visit to open his European tour.
Speaking alongside Xi after their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said that France hopes China’s influence on Moscow would help to move Russia toward ending the war in Ukraine.
“We welcome the Chinese authorities’ commitments to refrain from selling any weapons or aid” and to “strictly control” sales of products and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, Macron said.
China claims neutrality in the war.
“History has repeatedly proven that any conflict can ultimately be resolved only through negotiation,” Xi said. “We call on all parties to restart contact and dialogue.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced plans to visit China this month.
Last year, Macron appealed to Xi to “bring Russia to its senses,” but the call wasn’t followed by any apparent action by Beijing.
Both leaders also expressed their concerns regarding the situation in the Middle East, where Macron said France and China share the “same goals,” that is “to achieve an immediate cease-fire to release hostages, protect the populations, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, encourage a regional deescalation and reopen a political perspective.”
Xi called the Israel-Hamas war a “tragedy” that is “a test of human conscience.”
“The international community must do something. We call for an immediate, comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza,” he said.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined both leaders for a meeting meant to address broader European Union concerns.
“For trade to be fair, access to both markets needs to be reciprocal,” von der Leyen said after the meeting. “Our market is and remains open to fair competition and to investments, but it is not good for Europe if it harms our security and makes us vulnerable.”
The discussions were expected to be closely watched from Washington, a month before U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to pay his own state visit to France.
Xi’s European trip, the first in five years, seeks to rebuild relations at a time of global tensions. After France, he will head to Serbia and Hungary.