French President Emmanuel Macron has urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to use his influence to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine
At the start of the negotiations in Beijing, he assured Mr. Xi, "I believe I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses."
According to Mr. Xi, their two nations have the "capacity and obligation" to preserve international peace.
In spite of China's refusal to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the French president is currently on a state visit there.
Mr. Macron is also looking to improve trade relations while being accompanied by a sizable business group. He has requested Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, to accompany him for discussions with the Chinese leadership.
After years of deteriorating relations between the West and China, the visit is being closely watched.
Mr. Macron was welcomed to a lavish military display in Beijing on Thursday afternoon.
Later that evening, the two are scheduled to participate in a state banquet and have a three-way discussion with Ms von der Leyen, who is in Beijing at Mr Macron's invitation.
Mr. Macron and Ms. von der Leyen had earlier on Thursday met with other senior Chinese officials, including the second-ranking Premier Li Qiang, and had urged for more communication with Beijing.
The "inescapable spiral of escalating tensions" between the West and China fuelled by the war, Mr. Macron told reporters shortly after he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday.
Yet, he went on to say that "China's objective isn't to have a lasting war" and that Beijing might play a "big role" in putting a stop to it.
With recent calls for China to participate more actively in foreign diplomacy, the country has unveiled a 12-point plan for peace in Ukraine.
Comments
Post a Comment