“Macron Urges China to Help End War in Ukraine and Resist Cutting Ties, as He Visits Beijing with EU Head”

The French President, Emmanuel Macronhas urged Xi Jinping to reason with Russia y help end the war in Ukraine while the two held the first of a series of high-level meetings in beijing. “Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to international stabilityMacron told Xi outside the Great Hall of the People in beijing before your meeting. “I know that I can count on you to bring Russia back to reason and everyone back to negotiating table“. The French leader told the international media last Wednesday that Europe must resist reducing trade and diplomatic ties with China and reject what some have presented as a “inescapable spiral” of strain enter here eastern republic y West.

Macron’s visit together with the head of the European UnionUrsula von der Leyen, comes after years of sour relations with Beijing over issues including a stalled investment pact, criticism of transparency china about COVID-19 and their resistance to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

For his part, according to Chinese state media, Xi Jinping praised the good relations between the two powers before the French president. “China and France have the ability and responsibility to overcome their differences and limitations at a time when the world is undergoing profound historical changes”.

Xi and Macron exchanged a lengthy handshake after the latter stepped out of his limousine in front of the Great Hall in his first visit to China since 2019. Macron placed both hands on top of Xi’s, then gave the Chinese leader a friendly pat on the back as they walked to greet the members. of each government.

Before meeting Xi, Macron spoke with the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, on the occasion of an elaborate ceremony outside the Great Hall, where the two leaders witnessed a 21-gun salute and they walked side by side on a red carpet while a marching band played their national anthems.

[Misión conjunta de Von der Leyen y Macron en Pekín para frenar el apoyo de China a Rusia]

A new starting point

Previously, Li he met with from the Leyen who, ahead of her first trip to China since taking over as president of the European Commission in 2019, said Europe must “eliminate risk” diplomatically and economically with a China that hardens. “Both Europe and China have benefited greatly from this relationship.however, EU-China relations have become more complex in recent years and it is important that we discuss together all aspects of our relations today,” von der Leyen said before meeting Li.

For the Chinese premier, the Chinese association with the EU and France is in “a new starting point” and that both parties must adhere to the “mutual respect and win-win cooperation”. From the eastern country they want Europe not to follow what they consider US-led efforts for contain his rise.

[La OTAN avisa a China de “consecuencias graves” si comete el “error histórico” de enviar armas a Rusia]

Both Macron and von der Leyen have declared their intentions to persuade China to use his influence on Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine, or at least succeed in curbing support from Beijing for Moscow in the so-called “special military operation”.

After Von der Leyen and Macron, the next to travel to Beijing next week will be Joseph Borrell, which has also increased the volume of its criticism of China of late. For the EU, the absolute red line for which there would be no possibility of turning back is the shipment of weapons to Moscow.

[Sánchez pide a Xi trabajar por una “paz duradera” en Ucrania basada en “la posición de Zelenski”]

“China has the moral obligation to contribute to a just peace. They cannot side with the aggressor. They cannot support my aggression militarily (…) Many Europeans are traveling to China. But we have been clear with China: its position on Russia’s atrocities and war crimes will determine the quality of our relations with Beijing,” Borrell said.

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