Photo: EPA
Chinese President Xi Jinping has assured that China is committed to close cooperation with France to prevent any external interference. French President Emmanuel Macron is in China on his fourth state visit, where he urged Xi to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine, emphasizing that Beijing’s role is “crucial” in this effort, according to BFMTV.
“We must continue to unite our efforts for peace and stability worldwide. From Ukraine to other regions affected by war, our joint work is essential. We recognize that while we share many perspectives, differences may arise, but it is our responsibility to overcome them, find ways to cooperate, and resolve disputes to ensure effective multilateralism,” Macron said after a private meeting and before expanded-format discussions. Xi responded that China is committed to working closely with France to prevent external interference, stressing that this will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
This marks Macron’s fourth state visit to China since taking office in 2017. Xi was officially received in France in 2024. The Élysée Palace notes that the time Xi spends with Macron, including private meetings through Friday, highlights the importance of bilateral relations.
While China has repeatedly expressed a desire for peace, it has never condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a major economic and political partner of Moscow, China remains the world’s largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, including oil products, effectively supporting Russia’s war effort. European countries have also accused China of supplying military components to Russia.