French President Emmanuel Macron began his state visit to China on Thursday by calling on Chinese President Xi Jinping to use his influence to help restore peace in Ukraine. He believes that the Chinese president is able to engage all parties, including Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, in discussions to end the war:
"I know I can count on you to understand Russia and bring everyone to the table," he said.
Prior to the meeting, Macron tweeted that "China can play an important role in peacebuilding."
Macron does not expect China to abandon its close cooperation with Russia, but still sees room for significant steps from Beijing in the peace process, a senior French official told Bloomberg.
After their first meeting, Macron and Xi called for the start of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine "as soon as possible" and said that nuclear weapons should not be used in the conflict. All countries must fulfill their obligations to not use them, Xi added.
Macron was joined in Beijing by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who called Beijing's position on ending the war "a determining factor in building relations between the EU and China."
Beijing is trying to play on the contradictions between the United States and Europe, which would still like to maintain economic cooperation with China, said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center in Washington.
"I suspect that Xi will say something to placate Macron, but there will be nothing even close to pressuring Russia for peace. Some Chinese strategists say that the best strategy is not to take sides because it gives China an advantage. I don't think China has the ability to fundamentally change Russia's position on the war," Yun Sun said.
Along with Macron, the heads of about 50 French companies arrived in China to meet with representatives of local political and business circles and will accompany the leaders on a trip to the major industrial and port center of Guangzhou.
"Less than a week after Airbus announced that it was in talks with China for a major order for dozens of aircraft, Macron is making a strong case for China's role in peace talks," adds Jon Treacy, publisher of Fuller Treacy Money, an investment newsletter.
Background. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was ready to have a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a meeting with Xi Jinping.