In meeting with Macron, Xi Jinping calls on China and France to push for political solution to Ukraine crisis
- Chinese president tells French counterpart their countries can overcome differences and constraints to develop their relations and ‘maintain world peace’
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang says Macron is first major Western leader received by China in Xi Jinping’s third term, showing the ‘importance’ of ties
Xi said the two nations should work together to reduce the spillover effect of the Ukraine war in the food, energy, finance and transport sectors, while Macron urged Beijing to help bring an end to the war.
“China is willing to call on the international community, along with France, to maintain rationality and restraint, and avoid taking actions that will further escalate the crisis or make it out of control,” Xi said in a joint press conference following a bilateral meeting with Macron on Thursday.
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Xi Jinping in Moscow to discuss Chinese peace plan for Ukraine with Russia’s Vladimir Putin
“I know I can count on you … to bring Russia to its sense and bring everyone back to the negotiating table,” Macron said.
“We need to find a lasting peace [for Ukraine] … a peace that respects internationally recognised borders and that avoids any form of escalation. And I believe that it is also an important question for China, as much as it is for France and for Europe. This peace, this stability, is what we are trying to work towards.”
Xi also said China and France could get over differences and constraints to develop their relations.