French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, with both leaders pledging cooperation on global issues ranging from the war in Ukraine to economic governance and trade. The talks at the Great Hall of the People marked Macron’s fourth visit to China since taking office and come ahead of France assuming the G7 presidency next year.
Macron used the meeting to urge China to play a more decisive role in pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine, describing the conflict as a direct threat to European security and to international order. “Our capacity to work together is decisive,” Macron said after an elaborate welcome ceremony featuring a military honour guard and flag-waving children.
Xi responded by reaffirming Beijing’s support for a negotiated settlement to the nearly four-year war. “China supports all efforts committed to peace,” he said, calling for a “fair, lasting and binding” agreement acceptable to all parties.
Alongside geopolitical concerns, Macron pressed Beijing on trade imbalances. France’s trade deficit with China rose to €46 billion in 2024, and the broader European Union faces a deficit of more than $350 billion.
French officials say Macron aims to encourage greater Chinese investment in France while simultaneously pushing the EU to reduce strategic dependencies on Chinese manufacturing, particularly in the tech sector. The French leader has repeatedly advocated for “European preference” in critical industries to ensure the bloc is not, in his words, a “vassal” to global tech powers.
Xi signalled openness to deeper economic cooperation, with both sides stressing the need for stable and balanced economic relations.
Macron’s visit comes days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Paris, appealing for Europe to maintain strong support for Kyiv amid competing U.S. peace proposals. Macron is expected to use his G7 presidency next year to push for a united front among major Western economies on Ukraine negotiations.
France maintains that China must avoid supplying any form of material support that could prolong Russia’s war effort. Western officials accuse Beijing of providing Russia with components vital to its defence industry, a claim China denies.
Beyond security and trade, the meeting also touched on cultural diplomacy. Xi announced a new phase of cooperation on giant panda conservation, noting France’s strong public affection for the animals. This follows the recent return of two pandas from a French zoo to China—a move that drew significant public attention.
Macron is expected to meet Premier Li Qiang before travelling to Chengdu, where further cultural and environmental cooperation is set to be discussed.
