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Emmanuel Macron has landed in China. The French president has a clear goal with the visit: To dissuade from supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
France wants to work together with China for peace and stability in Ukraine, says Macron shortly after arriving in Beijing.
– China, with its close relationship with Russia that has been reaffirmed in recent days, can play an important role, he told French citizens in the Chinese capital on Wednesday morning, Swedish time.
Macron mentions Beijing’s stated opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, as well as the Chinese so-called peace plan for the war.
Tomorrow, the French president will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The trip, Macron’s first to China in four years, is believed to be dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Macron is also expected to focus on strengthening China’s trade ties with Europe and protecting France’s interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
– We must not withdraw and separate ourselves from China. France will continue to work for a good commercial relationship with Chinese authorities, says Macron.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is also – at the invitation of Macron – on the China trip, which lasts until Friday. Last week von der Leyen also urged the Beijing regime not to support the war in Ukraine.
On Tuesday evening, Macron discussed the upcoming trip in a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, the White House said. The two leaders agreed that they want China’s help in speeding up the process of finding a solution to the Ukraine war and building lasting peace.