French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed primarily at urging his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to use his influence with Moscow to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, as well as resetting strained trade relations between Europe and China.
A crucial moment amidst international activity
This visit, Macron's fourth to China since taking office in 2017, is of particular strategic importance given its sensitive timing. It follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Paris earlier this week, during which he called on Europe to adopt a unified stance in support of Kyiv. The French moves also coincide with growing discussions about US President-elect Donald Trump's plan to end the war, placing Europe under pressure to strengthen its diplomatic role to ensure that any future settlement does not come at the expense of European national security.
Clear French messages regarding Russia
The French presidency clarified that the Ukrainian crisis tops Macron's agenda, with the French president directly asking Xi Jinping to ensure that China refrains from "providing Russia with any means, in any way, to continue the war." Western capitals view the strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow with concern, accusing Chinese companies of supplying Russia with vital technological and electronic components that support its war effort and defense industry—allegations that Beijing denies, maintaining its neutrality.
In this context, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated: "We are counting on China, as a permanent member of the Security Council, to put pressure on Moscow so that Russia, and especially Vladimir Putin, can agree to a ceasefire," adding that China has the ability to play a decisive role in guiding the Kremlin towards making the right decisions to end the conflict that has been ongoing for nearly four years.
China's position and economic challenges
Despite repeated French appeals, made during Macron’s visit in April 2023 and Xi Jinping’s visit to France in May 2024, Beijing has shown no fundamental change in its position. China regularly calls for peace talks and respect for national sovereignty, but has so far refrained from explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making Macron’s diplomatic task extremely difficult.
In addition to the political aspects, economic issues occupy a significant portion of the visit. Macron seeks to discuss bilateral trade relations in light of trade tensions between the European Union and China, attempting to find a balance that protects French interests without being drawn into an open trade war.
Macron is scheduled to meet with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, before concluding his visit by heading to Chengdu, in a soft diplomatic gesture related to "panda diplomacy," where he will visit two pandas recently returned from France.
