Macron meets China’s Li as EU leaders start talks in Beijing

BEIJING, April 6 (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron began a series of meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing on Thursday over a visit to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen that could set the course for the future relations of the block with China after years of tensions. ties.

Newly appointed Prime Minister Li Qiang received Macron at the Great Hall of the People, a cavernous building west of Tiananmen Square that is commonly used for ceremonial events, ahead of a summit with President Xi Jinping to be held later late that day.

After his arrival on Wednesday night, Macron said that Europe must resist cutting trade and diplomatic ties with Beijing, which is at odds with the West on issues like Taiwan, sensitive technologies and China’s close ties to Russia.

European Commission President von der Leyen, on her first visit to China since taking office in 2019, said Europe must “de-risk” its relations with Beijing as China had moved on from an era of reform. and opening to one of security and control. .

During his tenure, Europe’s relations with China have soured, mainly due to tit-for-tat sanctions that stalled a 2021 investment pact and Beijing’s refusal to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine that has claimed thousands. of lives since it began last year.

But after years of little diplomatic activity as pandemic border controls largely isolated the country from the rest of the world, China is keen to ensure that Europe does not follow what it sees as US-led efforts to stem its rise.

At least for Macron’s visit, expectations are high in Beijing.

“Macron’s visit is expected to produce concrete results in promoting China-France economic and trade cooperation as well as increasing political mutual trust,” the state-run Global Times wrote in an editorial on Thursday.

“It is worth noting that various forces in Europe and the United States are paying close attention to Macron’s visit and exerting influence in different directions,” the Global Times wrote. “In other words, not everyone wants Macron’s visit to China to go smoothly and successfully.”

‘GOOD COP, BAD COP’

Following Macron’s talks with Li, the Chinese premier will host a “working lunch” with von der Leyen. Later in the afternoon, Macron and von der Leyen will hold separate talks with Xi before the three hold trilateral talks in the evening.

Both Macron and von der Leyen have said they want to persuade China to use its influence over Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine, or at least dissuade Beijing from directly supporting Moscow in the conflict. Russia calls the invasion of Ukraine a “special military operation.”

Some analysts have suggested the duo may adopt a “good cop, bad cop” role with the hearty Macron promoting a “reset” in China-EU ties and von der Leyen harping on the thornier issues and red lines. in those relationships.

“China is a crucial trading partner, but EU companies face many discriminatory obstacles,” von der Leyen tweeted on Thursday morning after meeting with representatives of the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.

“EU-China relations are extensive and complex. How we manage them will affect the prosperity and security of the EU. I am in Beijing to discuss this relationship and its future,” von der Leyen said in a tweet earlier on Thursday.

Macron, traveling with a business delegation of 50 people, including Airbus (AIR.PA)luxury giant LVMH (LVMH.PA) and nuclear power producer EDF (EDF.PA)it is also expected to announce agreements with China.

But not everyone at home thinks it’s a good sign to send.

“Three quarters of the delegation are business leaders: the goal is above all to sign contracts,” Raphael Glucksmann, a left-wing member of the European Parliament, wrote on Twitter ahead of Macron’s visit. “At a time when the debate in Europe is focused on our suicidal dependence on China and Chinese interference, the message is mistimed.”

Reporting by Michel Rose and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Written by John Geddie; Edited by Gerry Doyle and Raju Gopalakrishnan

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