Macron in China says 'dialogue with Beijing is indispensable'

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he wants to engage China toward a shared responsibility for peace in Ukraine when he meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping this weekFrench officials said earlier Macron planned to urge Xi in talks Thursday to use Beijings influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin but didnt expect a big shift in the Chinese positionMacron is accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a show of European unity in dealings with BeijingXi and Putin declared their governments had a no limits friendship before Moscows February 2022 attack on Ukraine Beijing has refused to criticise the Kremlin but has tried to appear neutral and has called for a ceasefire and peace talksIn a speech to French residents of China Macron said he would try to build and somehow engage China toward a shared responsibility for peace and stability on international issues including Ukraine Iran and North KoreaMacron expressed hope China will participate in initiatives that are useful to the Ukrainian peopleDialogue with China is indispensable Macron said during the event at the French EmbassyXis government sees Russia as a source of energy and as a partner in opposing what both say is US domination of global affairsAlso readRussiaUkraine war Will there be a spring counteroffensive in Europes biggest armed conflict since World War IIChina is the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas which helps to prop up the Kremlins revenue in the face of Western sanctions That increases Chinese influence but Xi appears reluctant to jeopardise that partnership by pressuring PutinMacron noted Putins announcement that Moscow plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus which China opposesTerritorial integrity the sovereignty of nations is part of the Charter of the United Nations which China affirmed Macron saidDefending those principles means moving forward together and trying to find a path for peace Macron said He noted China proposed a peace plan in February and that while France doesnt fully agree with it the plan shows a will to commit toward the resolution of the conflictLast week von der Leyen warned the European Union must be prepared to develop measures to protect trade and investment that China might exploit for its own security and military purposesThierry Breton EU commissioner for internal market said Monday on French news broadcaster FranceInfo the message to Chinese authorities is that they must stop trying to play one country against anotherMacron also said several major deals were due to be signed between French and Chinese companies during the visit He was accompanied by more than 50 French CEOs including from Airbus railway equipment manufacturer Alstom and energy giant EDFA French official said last week negotiations were underway on a potential deal with Airbus that would come on top of Chinas 2019 order for 300 aircraftMacron said he will push for working in partnership with China on climate He said France will organise a global conference on the protection of oceans in 2025 and said China should be part of these effortsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever