French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to cooperate more closely on geopolitics, trade and the environment, as the European Union seeks China's help to end the war in Ukraine.
A large business delegation is accompanying Macron on his fourth state visit to China, as he seeks to bolster his foreign policy credentials and secure commercial deals for French industry.
China, for its part, wants to ease trade frictions with the 27-strong European Union over its heavily subsidised electric vehicle sector, while presenting itself as a reliable trading partner.
"Now, more than ever, dialogue between China and France is vital," Macron told his host during their Thursday meeting at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
"We have to continue to rally in favour of peace and stability in the world," he added, referring to the conflict in Ukraine. "Our ability to work together is decisive."
The Chinese leader is not expected to approve a long-anticipated 500-jet Airbus order, as that would weaken Beijing's leverage during trade talks with the U.S., which is pressing for new Boeing purchase commitments.
An easing of Chinese duties on EU pork shipments is also not expected, as Beijing seeks to pressure Brussels into agreeing to a minimum price plan for China-made electric vehicles (EVs). France voted in favour of the EV tariffs in the October 2024 vote.
The EU is also poised to unveil new economic security policies next month to reduce the bloc's reliance on China.
"No matter how the external environment changes, our two countries should always demonstrate the independence and strategic vision of major powers," Xi told Macron, adding that China remained committed to promoting peace in Ukraine and Gaza.
Xi encouraged Macron to deepen cooperation in aerospace and nuclear energy, as well as in artificial intelligence, the green economy and biopharmaceuticals.
The two leaders signed 12 cooperation agreements following their talks, covering population ageing, bilateral investment, nuclear energy, and panda conservation.
Macron in the past has sought to project a robust European front in dealing with China, while being careful not to antagonise Beijing, with China a key export market for many of France's most prominent companies.
Top executives from Airbus, France's largest bank BNP Paribas, electrical giant Schneider and train maker Alstom, along with leaders of the French dairy and poultry industry groups, have joined Macron in China.
"Our two countries have a role to play in laying out, with other partners, the foundations for rebalanced economic governance," Macron told Xi, calling for rules that were fairer and stronger, rather than based on "survival of the fittest."
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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
Five years after Evergrande's debt crisis rattled global markets, founder Hui Ka Yan has been sentenced to life in prison, marking a dramatic new chapter in the downfall of China's former property giant.
South Korea estimates North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, its defence minister said on Thursday, citing a range significantly higher than U.S. President Donald Trump's recent assertion that Pyongyang has 57 nuclear weapons.
Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has killed at least sixteen people and injured more than forty others, Ukrainian officials said, with fires reported across the city and Poland activating defensive air operations.
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