France's President Macron hopes China's President Xi will 'bring Russia to its senses' - BBC News
French President and European Commissioner Meet with Chinese Leadership
The French President Emmanuel Macron and the president of the European commissioner Slavunderlein are in Beijing where they're holding talks with the Chinese leadership. They are expected to urge China to use its influence on Russia to halt the war in Ukraine.
Significance of Meeting
- The meeting is significant as it marks a push by Europe to engage with China.
- The meeting is significant as it focuses on economic ties as well as international stability.
- France and other European nations hope to reset their relationship and re-engage with China following three years of pandemic.
Focus of Meeting
- The leaders will discuss economic ties, including investment from foreign countries such as France, and increasing trade as export markets for Chinese goods.
- Europe hopes that China will use its influence with President Putin to try and stop the fighting in Ukraine.
China's Goals
- Due to the pandemic's impact on its economy, China wants to focus on encouraging investment from foreign countries such as France.
- Xi Jinping is not likely going to want to talk about the war in Ukraine or change his stance towards Russia since an alliance with Russia serves as a bulwark against western-led institutions.
Relations between China and Russia
- Xi Jinping has made up his mind some years ago that it's in China's strategic interest to align itself with Russia.