Macron to Xi Jinping: "There Has Never Been a More Important Time for Dialogue Between Our Two Countries"

Summit Held in Beijing on the 4th
Discussion on Ukraine War... Cooperation for Peace
Xi Jinping Proposes Cooperation in Aerospace, Nuclear Energy, and AI

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at a joint press conference after concluding a summit in Beijing on the 4th. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

During his three-day visit to China, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and called for close cooperation between the two countries in the fields of geopolitics, trade, and the environment.

According to Reuters and Xinhua News Agency, President Macron, during his meeting with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 4th, stated, "There has never been a more important time for dialogue between China and France," and proposed three main areas of cooperation: geopolitical stability, economic rebalancing, and environmental sustainability.

President Macron, referring to the war in Ukraine, stressed, "We must continue to join forces for world peace and stability. Cooperation between our two countries is a decisive factor." He further stated, "Together with other partners, our countries must lay the foundation for a more balanced economic governance," adding that "building an environment of trust and resolving supply chain instability are essential."

In response, President Xi said, "Regardless of how the external environment changes, both countries must demonstrate independence and strategic vision as major powers," emphasizing his commitment to promoting peace in both Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. He also proposed expanding broad cooperation in areas such as aerospace, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence (AI), green economy, digital economy, and biopharmaceuticals.

The two leaders signed 12 cooperation agreements during the summit, covering areas including responses to aging populations, investment, and the conservation of giant pandas.

China to Provide $100 Million for Gaza Reconstruction

After the summit, President Xi announced at a joint press conference that China would provide $100 million to Palestine for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He pledged to work with France to resolve the Palestinian issue, stating, "We will help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support recovery and reconstruction."

Regarding the war in Ukraine, he said, "China supports all efforts for peace and hopes that all countries will reach a fair, sustainable, and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties through dialogue and negotiation. China will continue to play a constructive role in the political resolution of the crisis and firmly opposes irresponsible blame-shifting or slander."

On relations with France, he emphasized, "China is willing to make efforts to exclude all interference and make the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France more stable." He added that China and France, "as responsible, independent, and sovereign major powers, are a constructive force promoting a multipolar world and unity and cooperation for humanity," and expressed the desire "to make new contributions to an equal and orderly multipolar world and universal and inclusive economic globalization."

Regarding relations between China and the European Union (EU), he pointed out, "'Decoupling' means self-isolation, and protectionism will not solve issues of industrial restructuring but will instead worsen the international trade environment." He stressed that "China and Europe must maintain their partnership status and promote cooperation with an open attitude, so that China-Europe relations develop in the right direction of independence, autonomy, and mutually beneficial cooperation."

In response, President Macron said, "Although there are sometimes differences of opinion between our two countries, it is our responsibility to overcome them for the greater public good." President Macron also told President Xi that "as France assumes the presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) next year, we intend to begin a dialogue on global economic imbalances and global governance, especially with major countries like China."

Meanwhile, President Macron's visit to China was made in return for President Xi's state visit to France last year, which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Macron was accompanied by executives from leading French companies such as Airbus, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Alstom, as well as representatives from the dairy and poultry associations.

After the summit, the two leaders will attend the France-China Business Forum together. President Xi is also expected to accompany Macron on a visit to Sichuan Province. Reuters commented on this, stating, "It is considered an exceptionally generous gesture for President Xi to accompany a foreign leader even after leaving Beijing," but also noted that "despite the outwardly friendly atmosphere, experts point out that there are significant political constraints in the relationship between the two countries."