BEIJING (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he wants to forge a “common path” with China on peace in Ukraine when he meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
French officials previously said Macron planned to urge Xi to use Beijing’s influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to promote peace in Ukraine, but did not expect major changes in China’s position.
Xi and Putin declared their governments had “boundless friendship” before Moscow’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine. Beijing has refused to criticize the Kremlin but has tried to appear neutral and has called for a ceasefire and peace talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, attends a meeting with the head of China’s National People’s Congress Zhao Leji at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 6, 2023. ( AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool)
Macron said during a meeting with the No. 2 leader of the ruling Communist Party, Premier Li Qiang, that he wanted to talk about “Ukraine, but also about all the major conflicts and difficult situations around the world.”
“The ability to share a common analysis and build a common path is essential,” Macron said.
Li said there was likely to be a “broad consensus” between Macron and Xi, but gave no indication whether Beijing might be willing to press Moscow to make amends.
The meeting will “send positive signals of the concerted efforts of China, France and Europe to maintain world peace and stability,” Li said.
Macron was joined by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a show of European unity in dealings with Beijing.
Xi and Putin declared their governments had “boundless friendship” before Moscow’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine. Beijing has refused to criticize the Kremlin but has tried to appear neutral and has called for a ceasefire and peace talks.
Macron said on Wednesday that he wanted to “engage China in a shared responsibility for peace” in Ukraine. He expressed his hope that China “participates in initiatives that are useful to the Ukrainian people.”
The Xi government sees Russia as a source of power and as a partner in opposing what both say is US domination of global affairs.
China is the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas, helping prop up Kremlin revenue in the face of Western sanctions. That increases Chinese influence, but Xi seems reluctant to jeopardize that partnership by putting pressure on Putin.
Meanwhile, all 31 NATO member countries warned on Wednesday of “serious consequences” if China starts sending weapons and ammunition to Russia.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said providing “lethal aid” would be a “historic mistake”. He warned there would be “serious consequences” but declined to give details.
Last week von der Leyen warned that the European Union must be prepared to develop measures to protect trade and investment that China could exploit for its own security and military purposes.
Macron said on Wednesday he would push for “partnership work” with China on climate. He said France will host a world conference on ocean protection in 2025 and said China should be a part of these efforts.