French President Emmanuel Macron is set to engage with China’s President Xi Jinping during his two-day state visit to France, with the aim of urging China to leverage its influence in order to bring about a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, the leaders will address trade disagreements pertaining to electric vehicles, cognac, and cosmetics.
Diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine and exert pressure on Russia are of utmost importance to France, according to Macron’s office. In addition, discussions will encompass various topics such as the Middle East, trade matters, and global challenges like climate change. The President of the European Commission will also participate in parts of the meetings to address broader concerns of the EU.
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Xi’s European tour begins in France, where he aims to strengthen diplomatic ties amidst global tensions. Following his visit to France, the Chinese leader will proceed to Serbia and Hungary.
According to a French presidential official, France is hopeful that discussions will serve as a means to persuade China to utilize its influence with Moscow in order to “contribute to a resolution of the conflict” in Ukraine. It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his plans to visit China later this month.
During the meeting, Macron plans to address the issue of Chinese companies providing support to Russia’s war efforts in violation of EU sanctions. He will emphasize the importance of upholding these sanctions and express his concerns to Xi Jinping. It is worth noting that China has maintained a stance of neutrality when it comes to the conflict in Ukraine.
According to an official, France is urging China to engage in a dialogue with Kyiv. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to presidential policy, emphasized the importance of maintaining communication between the two countries.
In a recent development, President Macron made an appeal to President Xi, urging him to bring Russia to its senses. However, it appears that this appeal did not result in any noticeable shift in Beijing’s position.
Marc Julienne, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations, highlighted the conflicting goals of the French authorities. In a briefing note, he pointed out that they are trying to achieve two objectives that are ultimately contradictory. On one hand, they are aiming to persuade Xi Jinping that it is in his best interest to assist Europeans in pressuring Vladimir Putin to end the war. On the other hand, they are also attempting to dissuade the Chinese president from providing military support to his Russian ally.
Julienne expressed her belief that Xi has the potential to assist them, but simultaneously, there is apprehension that he might also aid Putin.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his intention to request Chinese President Xi Jinping to utilize his influence in ensuring that the upcoming Summer Olympics in France become a diplomatic occasion of peace. Macron aims for the Games to uphold the values of the Olympic Truce, emphasizing the importance of global harmony and cooperation.
On Friday, Wolfgang Buechner, the spokesman for the German government, emphasized that during his visit to China, Scholz clearly stated the need to address the issues of over-capacity and competition through subsidies.
The discussions will also receive close attention from Washington, as President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit France in just one month.
Xi’s visit to Paris coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of France-China diplomatic relations. It comes after Macron’s visit to China in April 2023, which stirred up controversy. During that trip, Macron made a statement indicating that France would not unquestioningly align itself with the United States in situations that do not directly concern it. This remark was widely interpreted as a reference to China’s aspirations for reunification with Taiwan.
The International Campaign for Tibet and France’s Human Rights League have called on Macron to prioritize human rights issues during his discussions with Xi. As Xi arrived in Paris, protesters took to the streets to demand a free Tibet.
Amnesty International has urged Macron to request the liberation of Ilham Tohti, an economics professor from the Uyghur community. Tohti was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for allegedly advocating separatism, along with other detained activists.
In a published interview on Sunday, Macron emphasized his intention to address and prioritize human rights concerns.
In Paris on Monday, Xi will kick off his visit by participating in a meeting with Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
A grand ceremony will follow at the Invalides monument, followed by bilateral talks at the Elysee presidential palace. Macron and Xi will then participate in a French-Chinese economic forum in the vicinity and later attend a state dinner with their wives.
On the second day of the visit, there is a focus on creating a more personal experience.
Macron has extended an invitation to Xi to visit the Tourmalet Pass in the Pyrenees mountains on Tuesday. This location holds special significance for the French leader as he spent time there during his childhood, visiting his grandmother. The purpose of this invitation is to reciprocate the gesture made by Xi last year when he took Macron to the residence of the governor of Guangdong province, where his father had once lived.
