French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are meeting in Beijing today for talks with China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping.
Both want to discuss separately and also in a three-way format, focusing on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and economic relations. Macron is on a three-day state visit to China. He will be accompanied by a French business delegation of 60 high-level people. France wants to do better business with China again.
In an opening speech on the relationship with China last week, the President of the European Commission defended the rebalancing of relations.
She said the EU needs to become more independent and reduce economic risks. However, it is not in Europe’s interest to distance itself from China. As for the war in Ukraine, Paris is betting on China’s proximity to Russia to help end the conflict.