France's Macron arrives in China, with Ukraine, trade on agenda
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in China for a three-day state visit, during which he aims to dissuade Beijing from supporting Russia's offensive against Ukraine.
The French leader arrived in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Wednesday, alongside European Commission President von der Leyen, and is due to hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the next day, with discussions about Russia's war in Ukraine high on the agenda.
Ahead of the visit, an official from Macron's office told reporters on condition of anonymity that, "China is the only country in the world capable of having an immediate and radical impact on the conflict, in one direction or the other."
Macron will look to stand firm on Ukraine during talks with Xi Jinping, while taking "another path" from the directly confrontational tone often heard from Washington, the official added.
Macron will also use his visit to forge closer ties with China, a crucial trade and geopolitical partner. His aims include preserving and re-balancing China's trade ties with Europe as well as safeguarding French interests in the Asia-Pacific, where Paris sees itself as a player due to its overseas territories and military deployments.
He will also meet French residents in Beijing before holding talks with Chinese leaders and attending a state dinner on Thursday evening.
Macron's trip — his first in four years — took place after he and US President Joe Biden agreed in a telephone call to engage China to hasten the end of the war in Ukraine.
"The two leaders have mentioned their joint willingness to engage China to accelerate the end of the war in Ukraine and take part in building sustainable peace in the region," Macron's office said in a statement.
The latest development comes amid closer ties between Beijing and Moscow.
China and Russia have agreed to expand trade, energy, and political relations amid the West's increasingly adversarial approach over the war in Ukraine.
Washington has become more vigilant about the relations between Beijing and Moscow ever since President Xi and Putin struck a "no limits" partnership in February 2022.
China has blamed the United States and NATO for "provoking" Moscow over the Ukraine war and has condemned Western sanctions against Russia. Russia has also strongly backed China amid the recent tensions between Beijing and Washington over the US political and military interference in Taiwan.
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