French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to engage in a delicate dance with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the latter's state visit to France. Macron's agenda includes both cautioning Xi against bolstering Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and soliciting his assistance in resolving the war. This diplomatic rendezvous, occurring against the backdrop of commemorating 60 years of Franco-Chinese diplomatic ties, holds particular significance, especially given Xi's choice to exclusively visit France among major European powers.
The day will be packed with discussions, starting with a trilateral meeting involving EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, followed by a state banquet at the Elysée Palace. Macron plans to segue into more personal discussions on Tuesday, escorting Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the Pyrenees for private talks.
In an op-ed published in Le Figaro, Xi expressed his desire to collaborate with the international community in resolving the conflict triggered by Russia's actions in Ukraine, asserting China's stance as neither a party nor a participant in the conflict. Macron's primary objective remains cautioning Xi against bolstering Russia, particularly given Western concerns about potential Chinese support in arms production. Macron has stressed the importance of China's role in maintaining the stability of the international order, while also urging Europe to safeguard its strategic interests in economic relations with China.
While Macron's stance on not aligning with blocs may have pleased Chinese state media, it has raised concerns among some EU allies. Human rights issues, particularly concerning the Uyghur Muslim minority and press freedom, are also expected to feature in discussions, with rights groups urging Macron to address these concerns with Xi. However, analysts remain sceptical about Macron's ability to sway Xi's position significantly, particularly given the broader geopolitical dynamics at play and Xi's current perspective on Sino-European relations.
Comments
Post a Comment