Macron says France and China 'must overcome differences' as he meets Xi in Beijing

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing, with the agenda of pushing Ukraine peace and discussing trade between the two countries.

Macron and his wife, Brigitte, received a grand welcome by Xi and his partner Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People.

This is the French president’s fourth visit to China since he assumed office in 2017. During his visit, Macron is also expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, following which he will fly to the Chinese city of Chengdu, where two giant pandas loaned to France were recently returned.

Macron urged Xi to work with the G7 countries towards rules-based economic governance.

“During France’s presidency of the G7 next year, we also want to initiate a dialogue with the major players, foremost among them China, on global economic imbalances and global governance,” Macron told Xi.

More from World

With trade and Ukraine war on agenda, Macron arrives in China told hold talks with Xi FirstUp: Macron to visit China and the other big headlines of the day

“Our two countries have a role to play in working with other partners to lay the foundations for a more balanced, fairer and more robust economic governance system based on rules rather than the law of the strongest,” he said.

China and France must overcome ‘differences’

Macron told Xi that France and China must overcome their “differences”.

“Sometimes there are differences, but it is our responsibility to overcome them for the greater good,” Macron told Xi during the meeting.

The Chinese leader echoed Macron, calling for “more stable” ties with France during their talks at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi said China was willing to work with France “to exclude any interference” and “make the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France more stable”.

Quick Reads

View All

Why Putin wants to partner India for Russia’s Far East

Su-57 fighter jets, labour and civil nuclear cooperation… Deals likely to be cracked during Putin’s India visit

On Ukraine

China consistently urges peace negotiations and respect for the territorial integrity of all nations, yet it has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion.

Western governments, meanwhile, accuse Beijing of giving Moscow vital economic backing in its war effort, particularly by supplying military components used in Russia’s defense industry.