During a two-day visit to France, Chinese President Xi Jinping firmly opposed criticism of his country for its close ties with Russia during the Ukraine war, saying, “We oppose using the crisis to impose third-party responsibility.” ” he said. This country tarnishes its image and incites a new Cold War. ”
Flanked by French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he met several times on Monday, Mr. Xi braced himself while defending China’s role, recalling that China was “not the source of this crisis, it is not the party, it is not China.” I am a participant. ”
This fiery remark appears to have been directed primarily at the United States, which claims that in addition to China purchasing vast amounts of Russian oil and gas, China is also purchasing satellite images, along with fighter jet parts and microchips. They believe they are continuing to support Russia’s war in Ukraine by providing them to the Russian military. Dual-use equipment.
Mr. Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who attended the morning meeting, pressed Mr. Xi to use his influence with Moscow to end the war. Mr. Xi is scheduled to receive Russian President Vladimir V. Putin in Beijing later this month, but beyond a general wish for peace, there was no suggestion that Mr. Xi would ask his “unrestricted” allies to end the war.
The Paris meeting came amid renewed hints from Putin that he may be prepared to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war. Russia said in February that Moscow could not rule out the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine as the reason for its decision to hold military exercises with the possibility of battlefield use, or “tactical” use. specifically quotes Macron’s taboo-breaking remarks. nuclear weapons.
Mr Macron has repeatedly said he stands by his position on the possibility of sending in troops, a comment he said was intended to create “strategic ambiguity”. He did not address the issue Monday.
In a speech to Mr. Xi, the French president said, “There can be no security in Europe without the security of Ukraine.” But he stressed that France is not at war with Russia or its people and does not seek to overthrow Putin’s regime. Macron added that France and China “must maintain a close dialogue” regarding the war.
Earlier in the day, Ms. von der Leyen said the Chinese government should “use all its leverage against Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine.” Mr. Xi added that he had “played an important role in defusing Russia’s irresponsible nuclear threat,” adding that he hoped the Chinese leader would “continue to take similar actions against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing nuclear threat.” I will continue,” he expressed confidence.
Ms von der Leyen, who has been more outspoken in criticizing China than Mr Macron, said: “More efforts are needed to reduce shipments of munitions destined for the battlefield to Russia.” “And given the existential nature of the threats arising from this war, both for Ukraine and Europe, this will have implications for EU-China relations.”
It is relatively unusual for a senior European official to describe the Ukraine war as an “existential threat” to the continent. Doing so could reflect new statements from Mr. Putin about the use of nuclear weapons.
The atmosphere between Mr. Xi and Mr. Macron was friendly, with mutual congratulations on the achievements of 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and a pledge to build a better world together. “There is no geopolitical tension or fundamental conflict between our two countries,” Xi said at a separate France-China business summit attended by top executives.
The two leaders jointly called for an “Olympic Truce,” a suspension of fighting in all conflicts around the world during the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
Noting the passion for gastronomy that the two countries share, Macron offered Xi a few bottles of cognac.
China launched an anti-dumping investigation targeting European brandies (primarily French cognac) this year, after the European Union (EU) launched an investigation following a surge in imports of subsidized electric vehicles from China. did. This could lead to additional tariffs on Europe this year. Mr Macron thanked Mr Xi for his “openness” on the cognac issue and suggested the threat of tariffs from China had been averted for the time being.
Mr. Macron wants to build a sovereign “European power” that is not dependent on either the United States or China, and is pursuing his own interests by making full use of its military and industrial power. The relationship between the two countries was not as positive as under the administration. He visited Beijing last year and the two countries declared a “global strategic partnership.”
“Without reciprocity, there can be no long-term exchanges,” Macron told a business summit, adding that the goal was to “rebalance” trade between the two countries.
France has a trade deficit of nearly $50 billion with China. Europe’s deficit with China has tripled in the past five years to nearly $325 billion. France’s investment level in China is three times that of China’s investment in France.
“There is an opportunity for a balanced partnership between France and China,” French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said at a meeting with business executives. “We are far from that balance right now.”
A number of agreements between French and Chinese companies have been announced, including those related to battery production, transport and green energy. Mr Macron called on Chinese companies to increase investment in France in the fields of batteries, cars, solar panels and computing, as long as the investments are done “in full respect for our sovereignty.”
Ms. von der Leyen also took a firm stance on trade. Tensions are rising between the 27-nation European Union and China as China’s heavily subsidized manufacturing industry and weak domestic demand have led to a major export boost from Beijing.
“The European market is flooded with these subsidized products, such as electric cars and steel,” von der Leyen said. “At the same time, China continues to provide significant support to manufacturing, coupled with weak domestic demand.”
“The world cannot absorb China’s surplus production,” she asserted.
The war in Ukraine has put significant pressure on Europe’s economy, with large parts of the continent having cut off energy supplies from Russia and resulting in the need to shift energy supplies. There are also growing concerns that inflation will rise and that China could force companies out of business.
“Europe cannot accept market-distorting practices that could lead to the hollowing out of its domestic industries,” von der Leyen said, adding, “Europe must take the tough decisions necessary to protect its economy and security.” There is no wavering,” he added.
Aurelian Breeden and Liz Alderman Contributed to the report.
