French and EU leaders on Thursday sought to make Europe's case for bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine in a Beijing meeting with Xi Jinping, a close ally of Vladimir Putin.
President Emmanuel Macron met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, as the French leader seeks to dissuade China from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to the press after a signing ceremony, Macron said that he and Xi had found agreement on principles during their discussions, which focussed largely on war in Ukraine.
Xi called for “restraint from all political partners” in Ukraine and said China hoped for peace to be achieved via a “political solution”. The Chinese leader also condemned the bombing of civilians in Ukraine. “We need to ensure that civilians are protected and nuclear weapons are not used,” he said.
Macron used stronger language than his counterpart to condemn “humanitarian violations” in Ukraine and speak out against the use of nuclear weapons.
The French president also called for peace talks, saying “the need to build sustainable, long-term peace” in Europe relied upon a “much more demanding conversation” to be had with Russia through diplomatic avenues. Without naming China directly, he ended with a call for countries around the world to “take responsibility” for peace, during a “worrying time”.
Macron earlier told Xi that he knows he can count on China to "reason" with Russia and bring everyone to the negotiating table.
“The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to [international] stability,” Macron said. “I know I can count on you to bring back Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table."
Macron and Xi shook hands outside the Great Hall of the People, the heart of power in the capital.
Xi greeted his guest on a huge red carpet lined by Chinese and French flags as the countries' national anthems played, an AFP journalist said.
As the meeting between Xi and Macron got under way, Chinese state media reported Xi as saying relations between the countries were "positive and steady", adding: "The world today is undergoing profound historical changes."
Meanwhile, Macron told his Chinese counterpart that he was counting on him to "bring Russia to its senses" vis-a-vis its war in Ukraine. "I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table," the French head of state told Xi.
Western pressure is mounting on China to help push for peace in Ukraine.
Though Beijing is officially neutral, Xi has never condemned the Russian invasion.
While he recently went to Moscow to reaffirm his alliance with Putin – framed as an anti-Western front – Xi has not even spoken on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Macron, who is accompanied on his visit by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, said he wants to "be a voice that unites Europe" over Ukraine, and that coming to China with her serves to "underline the consistency of this approach".
In a Thursday morning meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, Macron stressed the importance of dialogue between China and France "in these troubled times".
"The ability to share a common analysis and build a common path is essential," he said.
After Macron's talks with Xi, the pair will give statements to the press, followed by a three-way meeting with von der Leyen and, finally, a state dinner.
Taiwan tensions
The visit comes in the face of mounting Chinese pressure on Taiwan, with the island's President Tsai Ing-wen meeting in California with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
>> Read more : China voices anger after meeting between Taiwan leader and US House speaker
Macron told journalists Wednesday he did not think his Chinese counterparts had "a desire to overreact" to the meeting.
Tsai hailed the talks, saying they showed the self-ruled island was "not isolated" on the international stage.
Beijing balks at any official contact between Taipei and the rest of the world, insisting there is only "one China".
China had repeatedly warned both sides the meeting should not take place and deployed an aircraft carrier through waters near Taiwan hours before the talks went ahead.
Three additional warships were detected in waters separating the island from mainland China, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
