Today at the Paris summit, French President Emmanuel Macron confronted Chinese President Xi Jinping, advocating for stronger Europe-China cooperation regarding Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine and stressing the necessity for equitable global trade norms. This dialogue marked Xi’s initial European visit since 2019, underscoring his itinerary that also includes stops in Serbia and Hungary.
With the Ukraine crisis persisting, Macron underscored Beijing’s crucial role in managing global crises. He insisted on equitable trade conditions within Europe-China economic exchanges, echoing concerns about market imbalances previously articulated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In an op-ed for Le Figaro, Xi articulated his commitment to peaceful resolutions and clarified China’s position as neither a participant nor a party to the Ukraine conflict, pledging to aid in restoring European stability. Concurrently, von der Leyen vowed to champion ‘fair’ competition, citing unsustainable disparities in market access during prior discussions with Xi.
Macron’s primary concern involves preventing China from indirectly bolstering Russia’s military capabilities, particularly as Beijing-Moscow relations appear to strengthen post-invasion. Western officials fear the repercussions of Chinese technology potentially aiding Russian armaments, urging China to avoid exacerbating the conflict through military support.
Despite the strategic dialogues and the ceremonial backdrop of the Pyrenees, experts like Janka Oertel from the European Council on Foreign Relations remain skeptical about the influence of Macron’s diplomatic endeavors on China’s policies.
This summit serves as a critical juncture for EU-China relations, with Macron navigating the delicate balance between collaboration and competition, aiming to prevent an escalation of global tensions.
