PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on a three-day official visit to China starting Wednesday. The trip will primarily focus on fostering trade relations and engaging in diplomatic discussions, with a significant emphasis on encouraging Beijing to apply pressure on Russia to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Macron aims to promote a cooperative economic and trade agenda, striving for balanced growth that is both sustainable and beneficial to all parties involved, according to a statement from his office.
France is keen on drawing increased investment from Chinese businesses while also enhancing market access for French exports. During this visit, it is anticipated that both countries will finalize multiple agreements in sectors such as energy, the food industry, and aviation.
In keeping with his commitment to international commerce, Macron is expected to advocate for “fair and reciprocal market access,” as emphasized by his office.
Looking ahead, France will host the Group of Seven (G7) summit in 2026, bringing together the world’s leading economies. Concurrently, China will preside over the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which includes nations like the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
The European Union currently faces a significant trade imbalance with China, with last year’s deficit exceeding 300 billion euros ($348 billion). Notably, China accounts for 46% of France’s overall trade deficit.
France and the European Union have described China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by multiple trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicles subsidies. China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.
In July, Macron welcomed exemptions for most cognac producers as a positive step. France is China’s first supplier of wine and spirits.
Macron’s talks with President Xi Jinping will also address Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly following a meeting Monday in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire.
“What we want … is that China can convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as quickly as possible and consolidate that ceasefire through negotiations which, in our view, should lead to solid security guarantees for Ukraine,” a French top diplomatic official said.
Paris expects Beijing to “refrain from providing Russia with any means whatsoever to continue the war,” the official said, speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency customary practices.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week that Beijing believes in “dialogue and negotiation” to resolve Ukraine war and supports “all efforts” leading to peace. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, China “has played a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of the crisis,” she said.
Macron, who will be accompanied by his wife, Brigitte, is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening, with plans to visit the 18th-century Qianlong Garden complex in the Forbidden City, which has been recently reopened to the public after a major renovation.
On Thursday, Macron will meet with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders will then participate in a Franco-Chinese business forum. In the afternoon, Macron’s agenda includes talks 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 China’s Sichuan province.
On Friday, Macron and Xi will have talks in Dujiangyan, on the site of one of the world’s oldest irrigation system. Macron will later meet with students from the Sichuan University.
Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France who got his name by first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month sent back to China a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13 years and gave birth to three cubs.
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