China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues including the war in Ukraine and trade as French President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day state visit focused on diplomacy and economic ties. The visit comes as France prepares to assume the Group of Seven presidency next year.
Macron urged Beijing to help pressure Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine after renewed diplomacy around a U.S.-led peace plan. “We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever,” he said, adding he hoped China would join calls “to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure.”
Xi Jinping did not directly accept that call but said “China supports all efforts that work towards peace” and called for a peace deal acceptable to all parties. China has provided diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and bolstered economic ties through increased trade.
Xi announced China would provide $100 million to assist Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and support recovery and reconstruction. He also called for building greater political trust with France, urging both sides to show mutual support while maintaining independence. “No matter how the external environment changes, both sides as major powers should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual understanding and mutual support for each other on core matters and major critical issues,” Xi said. He added that China and France should “raise high the banner of multilateralism” and “firmly stand on the right side of history.”
Trade featured prominently in talks. Xi said the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear energy, green industries and artificial intelligence. They signed 12 agreements covering areas such as panda conservation and exchanges in higher education and research.
The European Union ran a trade deficit with China of more than €300 billion ($348 billion) last year, and China accounted for 46% of France’s total trade deficit. France and the EU describe China as simultaneously a partner, competitor and systemic rival; recent years have seen trade disputes after an EU probe into Chinese electric-vehicle subsidies and Chinese investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy. France won an exemption in July for most cognac producers.
Facing its own economic slowdown, China signaled a desire for more business. “China’s open door will only open wider,” Xi said, promising to expand market access and guide the cross-border, orderly layout of industrial and supply chains, and urging continued China–EU cooperation.
Observers say Beijing may use bilateral deals to undercut EU unity. “China seeks to drive a wedge into this EU approach by making deals bilaterally with individual EU members,” said Lyle Morris, senior fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security at the Asia Society.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte, arrived in Beijing Wednesday evening. On Thursday the president was greeted at the Great Hall of the People by a military band and children waving flags. Macron and Xi attended the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum; Macron’s schedule also included meetings with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Premier Li Qiang.
The French presidential couple will travel to Chengdu in Sichuan province, home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France and named by Brigitte Macron, is at the center. France recently returned a pair of pandas to China after 13 years in France; they gave birth to three cubs during their stay.
