Macron arrives in China for talks with Xi on trade ties and Russia's war
in Ukraine
[December 03, 2025] By
SYLVIE CORBET and KEN MORITSUGU
BEIJING (AP) — Emmanuel Macron arrived in China on Wednesday for a
three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomatic talks as the
French president seeks to enlist Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a
ceasefire with Ukraine.
Macron will advocate for an agenda of cooperation in economic and trade
matters aimed at achieving a balance that ensures “sustainable, solid
growth that benefits everyone,” his office said.
France is aiming to attract more investment from Chinese companies and
facilitate market access for French exports. During the visit, officials
from both nations are expected to sign several agreements in the energy,
food industry, and aviation sectors.
Macron is committed to defend “fair and reciprocal market access,” his
office said.
He and his wife Brigitte wore open overcoats against the winter chill as
they stepped off a plane after nightfall at an airport in Beijing and
walked down a red-carpeted jetway. They were greeted by Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi, who spoke with Macron before the French leader and his
wife departed in a limousine.
They are expected to visit the 18th-century Qianlong Garden complex in
the Forbidden City, the former palace of China's emperors, on Wednesday
evening. The garden, which dates from the Qing dynasty, recently
reopened to the public after a major renovation.
France will host the Group of Seven summit in 2026 involving the world’s
most advanced economies, while China will chair the 21-member
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which includes the
United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
The 27-nation bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China — over 300
billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of
France’s total 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.
[to top of second column] |
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hands with Chinese
President Xi Jinping after meeting the press at the Great Hall of
the People in Beijing on April 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool,
File)
 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's customary
practices.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week that
Beijing believes in “dialogue and negotiation” to resolve the
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.
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
that was named 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.
___
Corbet reported from Paris.
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