BEIJING (AP) 鈥� Emmanuel Macron arrived in on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomatic talks as the French president seeks to enlist Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire with Ukraine.
Macron will advocate for an agenda of cooperation in economic and trade matters aimed at achieving a balance that ensures 鈥渟ustainable, solid growth that benefits everyone,鈥� his office said.
France is aiming to attract more investment from Chinese companies and facilitate market access for French exports. During the visit, officials from both nations are expected to sign several agreements in the energy, food industry, and aviation sectors.
Macron is committed to defend 鈥渇air and reciprocal market access,鈥� his office said.
He and his wife Brigitte wore open overcoats against the winter chill as they stepped off a plane after nightfall at an airport in Beijing and walked down a red-carpeted jetway. They were greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who spoke with Macron before the French leader and his wife departed in a limousine.
They are expected to visit the 18th-century Qianlong Garden complex in the Forbidden City, the former palace of China’s emperors, on Wednesday evening. The garden, which dates from the Qing dynasty, recently reopened to the public after a major renovation.
France will host the Group of Seven summit in 2026 involving the world鈥檚 most advanced economies, while China will chair the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which includes the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
The 27-nation bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China 鈥� over 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of France鈥檚 total trade deficit.
France and the European Union have described China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by across a range of industries after the EU into Chinese electric vehicles subsidies. China responded with investigations into imports of European , pork and dairy products.
In July, Macron welcomed exemptions for most cognac producers as a positive step. France is China鈥檚 first supplier of wine and spirits.
Macron鈥檚 talks with President Xi Jinping will also address Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly following a with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire.
鈥淲hat we want … is that China can convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as quickly as possible and consolidate that ceasefire through negotiations which, in our view, should lead to solid security guarantees for Ukraine,鈥� a French top diplomatic official said.
Paris expects Beijing to 鈥渞efrain from providing Russia with any means whatsoever to continue the war,鈥� the official said, speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week that Beijing believes in 鈥渄ialogue and negotiation鈥� to resolve the Ukraine war and supports 鈥渁ll efforts鈥� leading to peace. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, China 鈥渉as played a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of the crisis,鈥� she said.
On Thursday, Macron will meet with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Both leaders will then participate in a Franco-Chinese business forum. In the afternoon, Macron鈥檚 agenda includes talks with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People鈥檚 Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in China鈥檚 Sichuan province.
On Friday, Macron and Xi will have talks in Dujiangyan, on the site of one of the world’s oldest irrigation system. Macron will later meet with students from the Sichuan University.
Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng, the that was named by first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13 years and .
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Corbet reported from Paris.
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