Macron puts trade and Ukraine as top priorities as China's Xi opens European visit in France
French President Emmanuel Macron has put trade disputes and Ukraine-related diplomatic efforts at the top of the agenda for talks with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday that focused on trade disputes — including lifting immediate tariff threats on Cognac exports — and Ukraine-related diplomatic efforts.
Xi was in France for a two-day state visit to open his European tour.
Speaking alongside Xi after their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said that France hopes China's influence on Moscow would help to move Russia toward ending the war in Ukraine.
“We welcome the Chinese authorities’ commitments to refrain from selling any weapons or aid" and to “strictly control” sales of products and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, Macron said.
China claims neutrality in the war.
“History has repeatedly proven that any conflict can ultimately be resolved only through negotiation,” Xi said. “We call on all parties to restart contact and dialogue.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced plans to visit China this month.
Last year, Macron appealed to Xi to “bring Russia to its senses,” but the call wasn't followed by any apparent action by Beijing.
Both leaders also expressed their concerns regarding the situation in the Middle East, where Macron said France and China share the “same goals," that is “to achieve an immediate cease-fire to release hostages, protect the populations, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, encourage a regional deescalation and reopen a political perspective.”
Xi called the Israel-Hamas war a “tragedy” that is “a test of human conscience.”
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