Macron Meets Xi in Beijing, Urges China to Push For Ukraine Ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron and China’s Xi Jinping on Thursday pledged cooperation on a range of global issues, including efforts to end the war in Ukraine and trade. The bilateral meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People came as France prepares to take on the G7 presidency next year.
Macron appealed to Xi to help end the war in Ukraine and tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing’s Great Hall on Thursday.
For Macron, making his fourth visit to China while in office, the three-day trip is an opportunity to shore up support for a ceasefire in Europe’s deadliest conflict since WWII, as well as to attract more Chinese investment in France.
The country’s trade deficit with the world’s second-largest economy grew to €46 billion ($54 billion) in 2024.
Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan gave Macron and his wife Brigitte a grand, red-carpet welcome to the Chinese capital, complete with an honour guard and row of flag-waving children.
All smiles as he entered the cavernous hall, Macron blew kisses to the crowd while a band played the national anthems of both countries.
After the ceremony, Macron told Xi that France and China must overcome their “differences”.
The Chinese leader echoed Macron, calling for “more stable” ties.
Their tête-a-tête comes amid fresh attempts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, with Macron leading a push to counter a US-backed plan widely criticised for echoing Russia’s demands.
“We must continue to work towards peace and stability in the world, and in Ukraine and other regions affected by war,” Macron told Xi, adding: “Our capacity to work together is decisive.”
“The conflict poses a vital threat to European security, but also to respect for the international order based on the rule of law,” he said.
Xi stressed Beijing’s support for a ceasefire.
“China supports all efforts committed to peace and hopes that all parties will reach a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties through dialogue and negotiation,” he said.
Macron, who will host the G7 summit next year, urged Beijing to work with the group for “more balanced, fairer” rules-based economic governance.