Xi Jinping calls for French respect and cooperation in meeting with Macron
- France’s leader responds by urging a united approach between Beijing and Paris against the war in Ukraine
- Meeting comes one day after the Chinese president’s talks with his US counterpart Joe Biden at the G20 in Bali
He also called for them to “promote bilateral relations on the right track, and inject stability and positive energy into the world”.
The two sides should “respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and deepen practical cooperation”, state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
China also hoped Paris could provide a fairer, more just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in France, Xi told Macron.
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Xi, Biden discuss Taiwan and Xinjiang in first in-person meeting
During the meeting, Macron highlighted his concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine called for China’s help to end it.
“The consequences of this conflict go beyond European borders, and must be overcome by close coordination between France and China,” Macron said, according to a French statement.
The invasion is a complicating factor in China’s relations with Europe, which sees Beijing as siding with Moscow because of its refusal to condemn Russia.
After the meeting, Macron said he called for cooperation between France and China on Ukraine and a number of issues.
“Ending escalation and facing the consequences of the war in Ukraine, supporting the most vulnerable economies, decarbonising our economies and acting to protect biodiversity: France and China are determined,” he said in a tweet.
According to the Xinhua report, Xi said China’s position on the Ukraine crisis was clear and consistent, advocating ceasefire, cessation of war and peace talks.
“The international community should create conditions for this, and China will continue to play a constructive role in its own way,” he said.
‘We don’t want to be too dependent’: EU seeks to ‘rebalance’ its China ties
The meeting took place against a backdrop of rising calls in Europe for a tougher approach towards Beijing in response to human rights and national security concerns.
European Council president Charles Michel said he aimed to step up engagement with China while protecting the bloc’s values.
“With China, we don’t want to be too dependent [on it] for the innovative technology that we need today and that we need more in the future. That’s why it is important to rebalance the relationship,” he said, while noting that it was clear that the bloc had to engage with China on a more regular basis.
The EU has classified China as “partner, economic competitor and systemic rival” and there are growing concerns about the bloc’s economic dependence on China, which continues to expand its investments in European infrastructure.
In Beijing’s view, Europe is under pressure from the US to toughen its approach towards China, and has repeatedly called on European countries not to be swayed.
Xi had a similar message for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when he met him in Beijing on November 4. The Chinese leader urged Europe to retain its strategic autonomy and stay clear of the influence of “third parties”, without naming any country.
The meeting with Macron came one day after Xi’s talks with US President Joe Biden, when the two leaders vowed to keep communication lines open to stop their rivalry from becoming a full blown conflict.
