French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are visiting China to persuade Chinese leader Xi Jinping to use Beijing’s influence on Russia to help end the Ukraine crisis. Macron expressed his hope that China would participate in initiatives that are beneficial to the Ukrainian people. He also plans to discuss climate change with China and push for “working in partnership” with the country on the issue. Macron plans to organize a global conference on the protection of oceans in 2025 and believes China should be part of these efforts.
Xi and Putin declared their governments had a “no limits friendship” before Moscow’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine. Beijing has refused to criticize the Kremlin but has attempted to appear neutral and has called for a ceasefire and peace talks. The Chinese government sees Russia as a source of energy and a partner in opposing what both countries believe is U.S. domination of global affairs.
China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas, which helps to prop up the Kremlin’s revenue in the face of Western sanctions. While this increases Chinese influence, Xi appears reluctant to jeopardize this partnership by pressuring Putin.
NATO’s 31 member countries warned Wednesday of “severe consequences” should China start sending weapons and ammunition to Russia. “Allies have been clear that any provision of lethal aid by China to Russia would be a historic mistake, with profound implications,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated.
Macron and von der Leyen’s visit to China is also expected to result in several major deals between French and Chinese companies. Negotiations are underway on a potential deal with Airbus, which would come on top of China’s 2019 order for 300 aircraft. However, von der Leyen warned last week that the European Union must be prepared to develop measures to protect trade and investment that China might exploit for its own security and military purposes. Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for internal market, stated on French news broadcaster FranceInfo that the message to Chinese authorities is that they “must stop trying to play one country against another.”
Macron hopes to build on China’s influence in Russia to help end the Ukraine crisis. He stated in a speech to French residents of China that he would “try to build, and somehow engage China toward a shared responsibility for peace and stability on international issues” including Ukraine, Iran, and North Korea. He also plans to discuss climate change with China and push for “working in partnership” with the country on the issue. Macron plans to organize a global conference on the protection of oceans in 2025 and believes China should be part of these efforts.
While China has not criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine, it has attempted to appear neutral and called for a ceasefire and peace talks. Xi and Putin declared their governments had a “no limits friendship” before Moscow’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine. China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas, which helps to prop up the Kremlin’s revenue in the face of Western sanctions. NATO’s 31 member countries warned Wednesday of “severe consequences” should China start sending weapons and ammunition to Russia.
Macron and von der Leyen’s visit to China is also expected to result in several major deals between French and Chinese companies. Negotiations are underway on a potential deal with Airbus, which would come on top of China’s 2019 order for 300 aircraft.
However, von der Leyen warned last week that the European Union must be prepared to develop measures to protect trade and investment that China might exploit for its own security and military purposes. Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for internal market, stated on French news broadcaster FranceInfo that the message to Chinese authorities is that they “must stop trying to play one country against another.”