Macron Meets China's Xi Jinping In Beijing To Push For Peace In Ukraine

April 6, 2023

President Emmanuel Macron met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, as the French leader tries to dissuade China from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Macron had said in a speech in the capital that Beijing can play a "major role" in finding a path to peace in the conflict and welcomed China's "willingness to commit to a resolution".

The French president, who arrived on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, shook hands with Mr Xi outside the Great Hall of the People, the heart of power in the capital.

Mr Xi greeted his guest on a huge red carpet lined by Chinese and French flags as the countries' national anthems played, AFP reported.

Western pressure is mounting on China to help push for peace in Ukraine. Although Beijing is officially neutral, Mr Xi has not condemned the Russian invasion.

While he recently went to Moscow to reaffirm his alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin — framed as an anti-western front — Mr Xi has not spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Macron, who is accompanied on his visit by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, said he wants to "be a voice that unites Europe" over Ukraine, and that coming to China with her serves to "underline the consistency of this approach".

In a Thursday morning meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, Mr Macron stressed the importance of dialogue between China and France "in these troubled times".

"The ability to share a common analysis and build a common path is essential," he said.

Macron and Xi to meet Von der Leyen
After Mr Macron's talks with Mr Xi, the pair will give statements, followed by a three-way meeting with Ms Von der Leyen and, finally, a state dinner.

The visit comes in the face of mounting Chinese pressure on Taiwan, with the island's President Tsai Ing-wen meeting in California with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Mr Macron said on Wednesday he did not think his Chinese counterparts had "a desire to overreact" to the meeting.

Mr Tsai said the talks showed the self-ruled island was "not isolated" on the international stage.

Beijing balks at any official contact between Taipei and the rest of the world, insisting there is only "one China".

China had repeatedly warned both sides the meeting should not take place and sent an aircraft carrier through waters near Taiwan hours before the talks went ahead.

Three additional warships were detected in waters separating the island from mainland China, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday.

Source: The National
Image: Reuters

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