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French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to play a stronger role in ending the war in Ukraine and to address trade imbalances between the two countries during talks held at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday.
Making his fourth official visit to China as president, Macron is using the three-day trip to seek Beijing’s backing for a ceasefire in what is Europe’s deadliest conflict since the Second World War. He is also aiming to boost Chinese investment into France at a time when trade tensions remain high. France recorded a trade deficit of 46 billion euros with China in 2024, underscoring Paris’s concerns about uneven economic ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted with full state honours in the Chinese capital, including a ceremonial guard of honour and children waving flags along the red carpet. The French leader appeared relaxed and upbeat as he entered the grand hall, gesturing warmly to the crowd while national anthems were played.
During their discussions, Macron acknowledged that relations between the two nations had faced challenges but insisted both sides must rise above their disagreements. Xi echoed the sentiment, calling for stronger and more stable ties between France and China.
With the war in Ukraine approaching its fourth year, Macron stressed the importance of joint international action, warning that the conflict posed a serious threat not only to European security but to the global legal order. He told Xi that cooperation between Paris and Beijing would be “decisive” in working towards peace.
Xi said China supported diplomatic efforts to end the war and expressed hope that all sides could reach a binding agreement through dialogue. However, Beijing continues to avoid criticising Moscow for its invasion, while Western governments accuse China of supporting Russia’s war machine through trade and dual-use supplies. The French presidency said Macron would make clear that China should not assist Russia in any way that prolongs the conflict.
Macron’s visit comes soon after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Paris, appealing to European leaders to remain firm in their support for Kyiv as Washington advances a peace plan viewed by critics as favouring Russia. Zelensky said he and Macron shared the goal of securing a fair conclusion to the war.
Trade has also been central to Macron’s agenda, with the European Union running a 357-billion-dollar trade deficit with China. A French official said Europe wanted China to reduce exports while increasing domestic consumption, while encouraging the EU to boost production.
Macron has repeatedly argued that Europe must cut its reliance on China, especially in technology, and has warned against the continent becoming dependent on either China or the United States. He has previously called for policies that favour European innovation and manufacturing.
Beyond politics and trade, cultural diplomacy also featured in the talks. Xi announced a new agreement with France on giant panda conservation after two pandas recently left a French zoo and returned to China. He joked that the animals are dearly loved by the French public and confirmed that new pandas would be sent to replace them.
Later in the visit, Macron is due to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang before travelling to Chengdu. On a previous trip, he received an enthusiastic reception from university students in southern China, drawing cheers and crowds eager for selfies.
