China’s Wang Yi urges France to play ‘constructive role’ as Ukraine and trade woes cloud Beijing’s EU ties

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi meets French President Emmanuel Macron and his diplomatic adviser for talks in Paris
During their meeting, French leader pushes Beijing to ‘pressure Russia to return to the negotiating table’, according to Macron’s office

China-EU relations

Kawala Xie

Published: 4:48pm, 21 Feb 2024

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China’s top diplomat called on France to play a “constructive role” in developing Beijing’s relations with the European Union and to help act as a “stabilising force” in the world.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Emmanuel Bonne, foreign affairs adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, for strategic dialogues in Paris on Tuesday.

Wang also held a separate meeting with Macron on the sidelines of the strategic talks, which are typically held once or twice a year.

“As China and France are both major independent countries, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and important forces in the multipolar world, [we] should strengthen strategic coordination, deepen strategic cooperation, and make contributions to promoting global peace and stability,” Wang told Macron, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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“China appreciates that France insists on being [an] independent [force] and hopes that France will continue to play a constructive role in the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, enhance mutual trust, promote the integration of interests, and jointly serve as a stabilising force in today’s world.”

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Macron said France adhered to “strategic autonomy” and was willing to strengthen coordination with China to safeguard peace and stability in the face of global challenges.

Macron has championed strategic autonomy for the EU – the idea that the bloc should become more powerful on the world stage and operate independently in a wide range of areas, from military operations to industrial policy. He has urged the bloc not to become a “vassal” of the US or get caught up in escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Before arriving in France, he visited Spain and attended the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, where the Ukraine war dominated the agenda.

The Elysee Palace said Macron and Wang discussed the conflict during their meeting and that they shared the same goal of “contributing to peace”, according to broadcaster France 24.

According to Macron’s office, the French leader told Wang that he hoped China would “pressure Russia to return to the negotiating table”.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year, has long clouded China’s relations with most EU countries as Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow despite taking a neutral stance on the war.

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During the Munich security conference, Wang said Beijing’s relations with Russia did not target any third party. Later in a separate meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, Wang reaffirmed that China would not supply weapons to either side of the conflict.

Macron, along with other European leaders, attempted to reassure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Brussels’s defence commitment to his country amid concerns over stalled aid from the US. France and Germany both signed security pacts with Ukraine in the wake of the Munich conference promising long-term funding for Kyiv.

In Munich, Wang pitched China as a “stabiliser” – not just in conflicts but also on global economic growth, as trade disputes continue to loom over ties between Beijing and Brussels.

Last month, China announced an anti-dumping investigation into brandy from the EU. France is a major producer of the liquor. The measure, which was supported by Paris, was seen as retaliation for Brussels’ probe into Chinese electric vehicles.

The EU has long complained about a €400 billion (US$430 billion) trade deficit with China and is weighing various measures to address the trade imbalance.

In talks with Macron, Wang said China would continue to open its market to France, adding that the country hoped France would also create a fair and just business environment for Chinese companies.

Despite strained ties, China appears to be trying to improve relations with the EU amid its rivalry with the US.

Last year, China waived entry visas for several European countries, including France, in an effort to boost exchanges with the continent.

In Wang’s talks with Bonne, both sides agreed to increase direct flights and strengthen cooperation in climate change, clean and nuclear energy and artificial intelligence.