Macron Urges China-Europe Coordination Amidst Ukraine War As Xi Says Beijing Is 'Neither Party Nor Participant'

Xi Jinping In France: French President Macron welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to France, emphasising coordination on Ukraine war.

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping at The Elysee Presidential Palace for his official state visit on May 6, 2024 in Paris, France. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Xi Jinping In France: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to France on Monday, emphasising the need for close coordination between China and Europe in light of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Xi's visit to France marks his first to Europe since 2019 and is part of a broader tour that includes stops in Serbia and Hungary. While Xi has expressed a desire for peace in Ukraine, analysts remain cautious about significant shifts in Chinese policy, according to news agency AFP.

Macron, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stressed the importance of collaboration with Beijing on crucial global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, and advocated for fair trade rules between Europe and China, AFP's report stated.

In an initial trilateral meeting attended by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Macron stressed coordination with China on "major crises" including Ukraine as "absolutely decisive" and urged "fair rules for all" in Europe-China trade. "The future of our continent will very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner," Macron said, as quoted by AFP.

Xi Jinping, in an op-ed published in Le Figaro, expressed his commitment to working with the international community to resolve the conflict sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He reiterated China's stance as "neither a party nor a participant" in the conflict and stressed the need for peace and stability to return to Europe.

"We hope that peace and stability will return quickly to Europe, and intend to work with France and the entire international community to find good paths to resolve the crisis," Xi wrote, as quoted by the report.

Von der Leyen echoed Macron's sentiments, emphasising the importance of fair competition in global trade with China and addressing existing imbalances in market access.

EU Ready To Make 'Tough Decisions To Protect Its Economy And Its Security': Von Der Leyen Tells China

Leyen said she is 'confident' China would de-escalate Russia's nuclear threats as she urged Bejing to curtail 'dual-use goods' delivery to Moscow. The EU is ready to make "tough decisions to protect its economy and its security," von der Leyen told China, as quoted by AFP.

One of Macron's primary concerns is cautioning China against supporting Russia, particularly amid reports of Moscow utilising Chinese machinery in arms production. Western officials are wary of China supplying weapons to Russia, fearing it could escalate the conflict further. Macron emphasised the importance of China's role in maintaining international stability.

According to the report, human rights groups have called on Macron to address China's human rights record, including its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority and the imprisonment of journalists. Rights advocates stress the need for consequences in China's relations with France concerning its human rights violations.

Despite the warm reception and intimate talks scheduled during Xi's visit, analysts doubt Macron's ability to significantly influence the Chinese leader. Xi's choice of Serbia and Hungary as other stops on his tour suggests a preference for engaging with countries sympathetic to Moscow.

Both French President's messages on trade and Ukraine "are unlikely to have a significant impact on Chinese behaviour," Janka Oertel, director of the Asia programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said, as quoted by AFP.