Macron calls on Xi to reason with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine

Joint visit of the French President, Emmanuel Macronand the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der LeyenChina has had concrete results in economic matters, but only statements of goodwill from Xi Jinping regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, Macron and Xi Jinping They showed their good harmony at the first face-to-face meeting in Beijing since the beginning of the pandemic. The French president was close and friendly, telling Xi: “I know I can count on you to talk sense with Russia and bring the whole world to the negotiating table.” For his part, Xi limited himself to calling for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis and offered to cooperate with France to avoid a “deterioration of the situation”.

There is no alignment with the USA

The Chinese president insisted that Europe “must play an independent role in a multipolar world”, making it clear that he does not agree with US interests.

Hours later, expectations from Moscow cooled even more, as the Russian government spokesman assured that he did not see the possibility of China mediating in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Xi Jinping also held a joint trilateral meeting with the French President and the President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen reminded Xi that both China and Europe have the obligation “to defend the rules based on the international order and the United Nations Charter”so Russia must stop the invasion.

Macron and von der Leyen made clear the European position that any agreement to achieve lasting peace would be based on “respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.” They also encouraged the Chinese president to have a direct conversation with Zelenski.

During her official visit, the head of the European executive did not play as conciliatory a role as the French president and, although she stressed that China and Europe are major trading partners, she insisted that the imbalances and “risks” of the relationship must be addressed. For his part, the Chinese president expressed his willingness to “continue exchanges at all levels” with the European Union.

France is closed agreements on cultural cooperation, agriculture and education. At the commercial level, the agreement with Airbus to double the capacity of aircraft production in China, which created a second aircraft assembly line in the city of Tianjin, stands out.

economic agreements

For China, the agreements with France are a success at a time when the economy is rising after the blockades caused by the pandemic. The Chinese leader is eager to restore the attractiveness of the Asian giant to international investors.

An example of the importance China attaches to the French president’s visit is that this Friday, Xi Jinping will accompany Macron on a visit to the southern city of Canton, an unusual act as the Chinese president does not usually meet foreign leaders outside the capital.

And while in Beijing they were talking about the territorial unity of Ukraine, in the USA they were flirting with the president of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s meeting with Tsai in California, although low-profile and without naming China, had consequences. Beijing has launched a military deployment in the Taiwan Strait to put pressure on the island it considers part of its territory.