| |
Xi, Macron Pledge Trade Cooperation 12/04 06:10
BEIJING (AP) -- China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues
like the war in Ukraine and trade, as France prepares to take on the presidency
of the Group of Seven next year.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with China's Xi Jinping on Thursday
morning as part of a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomacy.
France seeks help to end Ukraine war
The French leader is seeking to involve Beijing in pressuring Russia toward
a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent burst of diplomacy around a U.S.-led
peace plan.
"We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order
that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue
between China and France is even more essential than ever," Macron said
Thursday.
"I hope that China will join our call, our efforts to achieve, as soon as
possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes
targeting critical infrastructure," he said.
Xi did not say respond to France's call, but said that "China supports all
efforts that work towards peace" and called for a peace deal that all parties
will accept.
China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of
Ukraine and has also extended an economic lifeline through increased trade.
Xi also announced that China will provide $100 million to help Gaza's
ongoing humanitarian crisis and to support the territory's recovery and
reconstruction.
Xi called for building greater political trust with France by showing each
other support while demonstrating each side's "independence."
"No matter how the external environment changes, both sides as major powers
should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual
understanding and mutual support for each other on core matters and major
critical issues," he said.
"China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise
high the banner of multilateralism ... and firmly stand on the right side of
history," he added.
Both are eager for more trade
Trade was another major focus of Thursday's agenda.
Xi said during the joint appearance that both sides had agreed to work
towards greater economic cooperation in areas of aerospace, aeronautics,
nuclear energy, as well as new areas such as green industries and AI. They
signed 12 agreements, including ones calling for cooperation on a new round of
panda conservation efforts and exchanges in higher education and research.
The European Union bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China: over 300
billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of France's
total trade deficit.
France and the European Union have described China as simultaneously a
partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by
trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into
Chinese electric vehicles subsidies and China responded with investigations
into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.
But France was able to get an exemption for most cognac producers in July.
China, facing its own economic slump, is also signaling it wants more
business.
"China's open door will only open wider," Xi said, saying that the country
plans to "expand market access, and opening up areas" of investment "and guide
the cross-border, orderly, and rational layout of industrial and supply chains."
Xi also called for both sides to continue to promote mutually beneficial
cooperation between China and the EU.
Some argue bilateral deals could undermine EU
Experts have said they expect Beijing to use this visit to strengthen its
individual ties with one of Europe's most important economies, at the expense
of the greater EU bloc.
"China seeks to drive a wedge into this EU approach by making deals
bilaterally with individual EU members," said Lyle Morris, a senior fellow on
Foreign Policy and National Security as the Asia Society.
Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron touched down in Beijing Wednesday
evening.
On Thursday morning, Macron was greeted by a military band and groups of
children waving flags at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. The two leaders
attended the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum Thursday. Macron's
agenda also includes meetings with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's
Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in China's
Sichuan province.
Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant
Panda, where Yuan Meng, who was the first giant panda born in France and was
named by first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month sent
back to China a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13
years and gave birth to three cubs.
|
|
