During a highly anticipated trilateral meeting in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss pressing issues facing the world. The three leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and China’s role in addressing global crises.
Macron emphasized the importance of cooperation with Beijing in resolving major conflicts such as the one in Ukraine. He acknowledged that China maintains neutrality on the issue but expressed concerns about Russia’s nuclear threats and potential support from Beijing. Von der Leyen shared Macron’s view, expressing trust in China’s influence over Russia to end the conflict and calling for limits on the supply of dual-use goods to prevent them from being used in warfare.
Trade was also a significant topic of discussion during the meeting, with both sides acknowledging challenges in their relationship. Macron called for fair rules in trade relations between the EU and China, while Xi Jinping stressed the need for dialogue and consultation to address trade differences while considering each other’s concerns.
Xi Jinping’s visit to France is part of his first European tour since 2019, which also includes stops in Serbia and Hungary, countries friendly to Russia in the region. The leaders discussed a range of issues during their trilateral meeting, including climate change, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. While they did not agree on all matters, they agreed to continue working together towards common goals and promoting cooperation between Europe and China.
Macron expressed gratitude for China’s partnership with France and Europe on critical issues such as climate change, terrorism, and cybersecurity. He expressed hope that their cooperation would help create a more peaceful world where all nations can prosper.
Von der Leyen echoed Macron’s sentiments, thanking Xi Jinping for his commitment to promoting global peace and development through his Belt Road Initiative (BRI). She emphasized the importance of dialogue between Europe and Asia to overcome geopolitical tensions and promote economic growth.
Overall, while there were disagreements on certain issues during their meeting, Macron, von der Leyen
