China's Xi, France's Macron call for Russia-Ukraine peace talks

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech in Beijing that China can play a "major role" in a path to peace in Ukraine and welcomed the country's "willingness to commit to a resolution".

By Ted Regencia

Apr 06, 2023

The French president (L), who arrived on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, shook hands with Xi (R) after a signing ceremony in Beijing. / AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have both called for Russia-Ukraine peace talks to take place "as soon as possible".

The pair, who held talks in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, also reaffirmed their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons during the conflict.

On Thursday, Xi greeted Macron on a huge red carpet lined by Chinese and French flags as the countries' national anthems played.

Macron began a series of meetings with Chinese leaders on a visit with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that could set a course for the bloc's future relations with China after years of strained ties.

Earlier, newly-appointed Premier Li Qiang greeted Macron at the Great Hall of the People, a cavernous building west of Tiananmen Square commonly used for ceremonial events.

After his arrival late on Wednesday, Macron said Europe must resist reducing trade and diplomatic ties with Beijing, which is at odds with the West over issues including Taiwan, sensitive technologies and China's close ties with Russia.

Von der Leyen, on her first visit to China since taking office in 2019, has said Europe must "de-risk" its relations with Beijing, as China had shifted from an era of reform and opening to one of security and control.

During her tenure, Europe's relations with China have soured, mainly because of tit-for-tat sanctions that stalled an investment pact in 2021 and Beijing's refusal to condemn Russia over its offensive in Ukraine that has claimed thousands of lives since it started last year.

But emerging from years of sparse diplomatic activity as pandemic border controls largely shut the country off from the rest of the world, China is eager to ensure Europe does not follow what it sees as US-led efforts to contain its rise.

'Good cop, bad cop'

The two leaders will now have a three-way meeting with von der Leyen followed by a state dinner.

Both Macron and von der Leyen have said they want to persuade China to use its influence over Russia to bring peace in Ukraine, or at least deter Beijing from directly supporting Moscow in the conflict.

Russia calls the war on Ukraine a "special military operation".

Some analysts have suggested the duo may adopt a "good cop, bad cop" role with the convivial Macron promoting a "reset" in China-EU ties and von der Leyen pressing home the thornier issues and red lines in those relations.

"China is a crucial trade partner but EU businesses face many discriminatory hurdles," von der Leyen tweeted on Thursday morning after meeting representatives of the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.

"EU-China relations are extensive and complex. How we manage them will impact EU prosperity and security. I'm in Beijing to discuss this relationship - and its future," von der Leyen said in an earlier tweet on Thursday.

Macron, travelling with a 50-strong business delegation including Airbus, luxury giant LVMH and nuclear energy producer EDF, is also expected to announce deals with China.