Beijing, El Sky News — During an official state visit to China from December 3–5, French President Emmanuel Macron held a key meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting aimed to discuss bilateral cooperation on global crises, the war in Ukraine, and the trade imbalance between China and the European Union.
Key Issues Discussed
During a joint press conference, Macron highlighted that the world faces the risk of a “disintegration of the international order” due to geopolitical tensions and economic imbalances. He emphasized three main pillars of cooperation:
- Geopolitical stability — urging China to help mediate the Ukraine conflict and support global peace.
- Economic rebalancing — addressing trade imbalances between Europe and China for mutual benefit.
- Sustainability and green initiatives — cooperation on clean energy and innovative technologies.
Macron stated:
“Now, more than ever, dialogue between China and France is vital.”
He also called on China to use its influence with Russia to facilitate at least a ceasefire in civilian regions of Ukraine.
Outcomes and Agreements
During the visit, both countries signed 12 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering sectors such as bilateral investment, nuclear energy, demographic initiatives, and environmental conservation projects, including panda conservation as a symbolic cultural cooperation effort.
French business delegations, including representatives from Airbus, BNP Paribas, Alstom, and energy sectors, accompanied Macron. The agreements aim to promote long-term global economic governance, strengthen supply chain stability, and prevent dominance by a single economic power.
Analysts note that while these agreements are significant, structural and political challenges remain, including differing regulatory standards and external pressures from tariffs and global competition.
Global Implications
- Diplomacy & world stability: Macron’s message underlines that the Ukraine conflict has global implications and China’s involvement is crucial for a peaceful resolution.
- East-West economic balance: Efforts to rebalance trade aim to reduce Europe’s dependency on low-cost Chinese products and encourage fair investment and production.
- Multipolar cooperation model: Agreements in energy, technology, and environment highlight possibilities for Europe-China cooperation without reliance on a single power.
