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Macron’s meeting with Xi could affect the direction of the war. Macron’s meeting with Xi could affect the direction of the war.
(about 17 hours later)
President Emmanuel Macron of France and China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, are holding talks in Beijing on Thursday in a meeting that could have broad implications for China’s relationship with Europe and the direction of Russia’s war in Ukraine.President Emmanuel Macron of France and China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, are holding talks in Beijing on Thursday in a meeting that could have broad implications for China’s relationship with Europe and the direction of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The French president said he knew that he could count on Mr. Xi “to bring Russia back to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table,” according to video footage of their remarks as the two leaders met in a gilded hall in China’s capital.The French president said he knew that he could count on Mr. Xi “to bring Russia back to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table,” according to video footage of their remarks as the two leaders met in a gilded hall in China’s capital.
At the start of his three-day visit on Wednesday, Mr. Macron said that Beijing can play a “major role” in bringing peace to Ukraine and that “escalating tensions” between China and the West could be reversed. At the start of his three-day visit on Wednesday, Mr. Macron said that Beijing could play a “major role” in bringing peace to Ukraine and that “escalating tensions” between China and the West could be reversed.
China’s leaders view Mr. Macron as an independent thinker, and not beholden to the United States. He is traveling with a delegation of French business leaders, which reflects his desire to engage with China rather than join the United States in decoupling.China’s leaders view Mr. Macron as an independent thinker, and not beholden to the United States. He is traveling with a delegation of French business leaders, which reflects his desire to engage with China rather than join the United States in decoupling.
The European delegation also includes Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, who contrasts with Mr. Macron by endorsing the view that Beijing is a threat to the Western-led order. In a speech last week, Ms. von der Leyen described the E.U.-China relationship as having become “more distant and more difficult,” and China as “more repressive at home and more assertive abroad.” The European delegation also includes Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, who contrasts with Mr. Macron by endorsing the view that Beijing is a threat to the Western-led order. In a speech last week, Ms. von der Leyen described the E.U.-China relationship as having become “more distant and more difficult,” and China as “more repressive at home and more assertive abroad.”
Mr. Xi wants to repair his country’s relationship with Europe, which has been strained by Beijing’s deepening ties with Moscow. China needs European businesses to help revive its economy, which was weakened by the pandemic. Mr. Xi also hopes to prevent Europe from aligning with the United States on trade policies that could restrict investments and sensitive technologies from being exported to China on security grounds. Mr. Xi wants to repair his country’s relationship with Europe, which has been strained by Beijing’s deepening ties with Moscow. China needs European businesses to help revive its economy, which was weakened by the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Xi also hopes to prevent Europe from aligning with the United States on trade policies that could restrict investments and sensitive technologies from being exported to China on security grounds.
Just as much as China needs European business, European companies need China’s vast market to help them recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Just as much as China needs European business, European companies need China’s vast market to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Skepticism abounds about Mr. Xi’s willingness and ability to rein in the Kremlin and its war in Ukraine. Though Moscow is increasingly dependent on China for economic and diplomatic support, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia maintains an independent streak. The Russian leader said last month that he would position tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, days after issuing a statement with Mr. Xi promising not to deploy such weapons abroad.Skepticism abounds about Mr. Xi’s willingness and ability to rein in the Kremlin and its war in Ukraine. Though Moscow is increasingly dependent on China for economic and diplomatic support, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia maintains an independent streak. The Russian leader said last month that he would position tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, days after issuing a statement with Mr. Xi promising not to deploy such weapons abroad.
China’s relationship with Russia is one of two like-minded nuclear powers aiming to reshape the global order dominated for decades by the United States and its allies. As relations between Beijing and Washington grow more fraught, Mr. Xi’s need for Russia as a counterweight only increases.China’s relationship with Russia is one of two like-minded nuclear powers aiming to reshape the global order dominated for decades by the United States and its allies. As relations between Beijing and Washington grow more fraught, Mr. Xi’s need for Russia as a counterweight only increases.
For Mr. Macron, the visit is part of a diplomatic push to end the war. Last year, he attempted to persuade Mr. Putin to reverse course on Ukraine. Several conversations between the two men yielded no results. For Mr. Macron, the visit is part of a diplomatic push to end the war. Last year, he tried to persuade Mr. Putin to reverse course on Ukraine. Several conversations between the two men yielded no results.