Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, arrived in Beijing, China, earlier today to begin a three-day working trip. His visit is motivated by goodwill and the need to forge new diplomatic relations with China, a commercial partner.
He is also anticipated to bring up the issue of the Russian threat by pleading with his host, Chinese President Xi Jinping, to put pressure on Russia to end its protracted conflict with Ukraine.
After touching down in Beijing, Macron stated while speaking to journalists, “Despite unbalanced trade relations with Beijing, Europe must maintain its economic ties with China.”
“We must somehow reduce the risk in our industries, but we cannot isolate and distance ourselves from one another,” he stated.
In Beijing, Macron made plain his goals by reiterating the significance of China in efforts to end Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
“China, with its close relationship with Russia, which has been reaffirmed in recent days, can play a major role.” At his address to French citizens in Beijing, Macron said France would engage “in this shared responsibility for peace and stability.”
However, it is expected that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also fly into Beijing to join Macron at the discussion table. Both Macron and Ursula understand the significance of the trip for global stability.
It’s been close to four years since Macron last visited China; his first was in 2019.
