After Chancellor Scholz, French President Macron is also seeking talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi. In particular, the containment of Russian violence, which is expressed in threats of nuclear weapons, for example, is a topic. Xi is also demanding foreign policy concessions.
China wants Europe to become more independent from the US. Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali, China’s leader Xi Jinping said that, as important forces in a turbulent world, France and the European Union, together with China, should “encourage the spirit of independence and preserve autonomy”.
According to diplomats, the hint conceals the Chinese desire for Europeans to follow the US less. Xi praised the development of China-France relations, which have “maintained positive momentum,” Chinese news agency Xinhua reported at the Group of Great Economy Nations (G20) summit in Bali. Both countries had made “positive progress in important cooperation”.
Xi also said that in general, cooperation should replace confrontation. All countries should answer the question: “What is wrong in the world, what should we do about it?”
The corona pandemic is ongoing. The global economy is becoming more vulnerable. The geopolitical environment remains tense. The crises of food and energy reinforced each other. “All of these pose significant challenges for our development,” Xi said. “No one should pursue a foreign trade policy at the expense of others, build small gardens with high fences or create closed or exclusive circles,” Xi Jinping also opposed the formation of blocs, which China commonly accuses of its rival USA. China’s president has spoken out in favor of including the African Union in the G20 group.
Macron is the second European leader to meet Xi Jinping at the latest party congress following his re-election, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was in Beijing earlier this month. According to the Elysee Palace, Macron expressed concern about Russia’s continuation of the war in Ukraine.
The consequences of this conflict went beyond European borders and would have to be overcome through close coordination between France and China. Both heads of state had stressed that the use of nuclear weapons must be prevented. Both had shown their determination to support the economies most at risk from the current crisis.
