BEIJING (AP) — China and France pledged to cooperate more deeply on global issues such as the war in Ukraine and trade as France prepares to take over the presidency of the G7 next year.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinese Xi Jinping on Thursday morning as part of a three-day state visit focused on trade and diplomacy.
The French leader is seeking to draw Beijing into pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine in Ukraine around recent diplomacy led by the U.S. Diplomacy surge
"We are facing the risk of the breakdown of the international order that has brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, dialogue between China and France is more essential than ever," Macron said Thursday.
"I hope that China will join our call, our efforts, to achieve at least a ceasefire, a moratorium on strikes against critical infrastructure, as soon as possible," he said.
Xi did not respond to France's call but said "China supports all efforts that work toward peace" and called for a peace deal that all sides will accept.
China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since it invaded Ukraine and has also provided economic lifelines through increased trade.
Xi also announced that China will contribute $100 million to help the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reconstruction and rebuilding of the territory.
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Xi called for building political trust with France by showing support for each other while demonstrating independence.
"Regardless of how the external environment changes, both sides, as major powers, should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual understanding and mutual support for each other on major and critical issues," he said.
"China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise the flag of multilateralism... and stand firmly on the right side of history," he added.
Trade was another major focus of Thursday's agenda.
Xi said during a joint appearance that both sides have agreed to move toward greater economic cooperation in areas such as space, aviation, nuclear energy, as well as new areas such as green industries and artificial intelligence. They signed 12 agreements, including one on efforts to conserve pandas and exchanges in higher education and research.
The European Union bloc has a massive trade deficit with China: more than 300 billion euros last year. China accounts for 46% of France's total trade deficit.
France and the EU have described China as both a partner, competitor and systemic rival. Trade disputes have been noted in a wide range of industries in recent years after the EU launched investigations into China's subsidies for electric vehicles and China responded by investigating imports of EU cognac, pork and dairy products.
But France has granted most of its cognac producers an exception in July.
China, which is experiencing its own economic downturn, is also hinting that it wants more business.
"China's open door will only be opened wider," Xi said, saying the country plans to "expand market access and open up investment fields" and "relocate industrial and supply chains abroad in an orderly and rational manner."
Xi also called on both sides to continue promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.
Experts said they expect Beijing to use this visit to strengthen individual ties with one of Europe's most important economies at the expense of the larger bloc of the EU.
"China is trying to exploit this EU approach by forging individual bilateral deals with EU member countries," said Lyal Morrison, senior fellow at the Asia Society for Foreign Policy and National Security.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening.
Macron was greeted Thursday morning at the Beijing Great Hall of the People by a military orchestra and children waving flags. The two leaders participated in the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum on Thursday. Macron's agenda also includes meetings with Zhao Leijiang, chairman of the National People's Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in China's Sichuan province.
Chengdu is also home to the giant panda conservation and research center where Yuan Meng, who was the first giant panda born in France and named by the first lady, Brigitte Macron, now resides. France has returned a pair of star giant pandas to China last month who lived in the country for 13 years and gave birth to three cubs.
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Wu reported from Bangkok.
