BEIJING (AP) — China and France have pledged deeper cooperation on global issues such as the war in Ukraine and trade as France prepares to take over the presidency of the Group of Seven next year.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with China’s Xi Jinping on Thursday morning as part of a three-day state visit focused on trade and diplomacy.
France seeks help to end war in Ukraine
The French leader is seeking to engage Beijing in pressuring Russia for a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent diplomatic blowout over a US-led peace plan.
“We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that has brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever,” Macron said on Thursday.
“I hope China will join our call, our efforts to get, as soon as possible, at least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure,” he said.
Xi did not respond to France’s call, but said “China supports all efforts working towards peace” and called for a peace deal that all sides would accept.
China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and has also extended an economic wedge through increased trade.
Xi also announced that China will provide $100 million to aid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support the recovery and reconstruction of the territory.
Xi called for building greater political trust in France, showing mutual support while demonstrating the “independence” of each side.
“No matter how the external environment changes, both sides, as major powers, should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, demonstrate mutual understanding and mutual support on core issues and major issues,” he said.
“China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise the banner of multilateralism … and stand firmly on the right side of history,” he added.
Both are eager for more exchanges
Trade was another major focus of Thursday’s agenda.
Xi said during the joint appearance that both sides agreed to work for better economic cooperation in the fields of aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear power, as well as new fields such as green industries and AI. They signed 12 agreements, including those calling for cooperation on a new round of panda conservation efforts and exchanges in higher education and research.
The European Union bloc has a massive trade deficit with China: more than 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone accounts for 46% of France’s total trade deficit.
France and the European Union have described China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by trade disputes in a number of industries after the EU launched an investigation into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies and China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.
But France managed to secure an exemption for most cognac producers in July.
China, which is facing its own economic crisis, is also signaling that it wants more business.
“China’s open door will only open wider,” Xi said, saying the country plans to “expand market access and open up areas” of investment “and guide the cross-border, orderly and rational structure of industrial and supply chains.”
Xi also called for both sides to continue promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.
Some argue that bilateral agreements could undermine the EU
Experts said Beijing was expected to use the visit to strengthen its individual ties with one of Europe’s biggest economies at the expense of the EU bloc.
“China is trying to create a wedge in this EU approach by making bilateral agreements with individual EU members,” said Lyle Morris, senior fellow in Foreign Policy and National Security at the Asia Society.
Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron landed in Beijing on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday morning, Macron was greeted by a military band and groups of flag-waving children at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two leaders attended the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum on Thursday. Macron’s agenda also includes meetings with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in the Chinese province of Sichuan.
Chengdu is also home to the Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, where Yuan Meng, who was the first giant panda born in France and named by first lady Brigitte Macron, now resides. France last month sent back to China several giant pandas that lived in the country for 13 years and gave birth to three cubs.
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Wu reported from Bangkok.