French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day state visit to China Friday, delivering a direct appeal to President Xi Jinping to leverage Beijing’s influence in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The visit, which included stops in Beijing and Chengdu, underscored the delicate balance France seeks in its relationship with China – one that acknowledges notable economic ties alongside crucial geopolitical disagreements. beyond discussions of the ongoing conflict, Macron also addressed trade imbalances and secured a commitment for a new pair of giant pandas to be gifted to a French zoo, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the diplomatic exchange.
French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a state visit to China on Friday, December 6, 2025, with a pointed call for major global powers to work together and a plea for Beijing to leverage its influence with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The visit, marked by both diplomatic formality and displays of cultural exchange, comes as France and China navigate a complex relationship balancing economic interests with geopolitical concerns.
Macron received a rockstar welcome at Chengdu University in central China, where hundreds of students greeted him with chants of “Makelong,” the Chinese transliteration of his name. He addressed the students, apologizing for his casual attire – a similar look to the one he wore during earlier meetings with President Xi Jinping – and characterizing it as a sign of a “friendly moment.”
In a speech to the students, Macron cautioned against succumbing to narratives of division in the international order. “If many people will explain to you that Europe is old, that Europe or the richest countries, those found in the G7, are arrogant… all of that is storytelling, inventions,” he stated. He spent roughly an hour outlining conclusions drawn from his visit, which began Wednesday evening.
Macron reiterated the need for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to reconvene and address pressing global issues, invoking “diplomatic tradition.” He also encouraged Chinese students to pursue higher education in France, specifically mentioning artificial intelligence and mathematics. “Come to France to study! Learn the French language, but (also) study artificial intelligence, study mathematics…” he urged.
The French President also addressed trade imbalances, suggesting that Europe should be open to Chinese investment in sectors like electric vehicle batteries and wind energy. However, he stressed the importance of protecting key European industries, advocating for “European preference” in the automotive sector to safeguard its “production base” against competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. This comes as China’s dominance in the EV market continues to grow, prompting concerns about unfair trade practices.
Adding a touch of goodwill to the diplomatic efforts, the Beauval Zoo in France announced it will receive a new pair of giant pandas from China by early 2027, following the return of a previous pair in late November. President Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where the pandas recently arrived, and met Yuan Meng, a panda born in France in 2017, of which she is the godmother. The panda, however, remained uninterested in his high-profile visitor, continuing to eat bamboo.
The visit concluded with a friendly table tennis match between Macron and French players Alexis and Félix Lebrun, who are in China for a World Cup competition.
Earlier in the day, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan accompanied the Macrons to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in southwestern China, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Xi praised the “wisdom” of ancient engineers and their ability to harmonize with nature, stating, “It is an ecological engineering system and embodies the harmony between man and nature, and this spirit of engineering radiates into all areas, whether it is water control or state governance, we can always draw inspiration from it.” Macron responded, “Impressive to see that nature has been so mastered by man.”
During a meeting in Beijing on Thursday, Macron pressed Xi to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and to address trade imbalances with France and Europe. China has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and remains a significant purchaser of Russian oil.
“I saw a willingness from President Xi to contribute to stability and peace,” Macron said following their discussions. The statement suggests a potential, though not guaranteed, shift in China’s approach to the conflict.
By Le360 (with AFP)
December 6, 2025 at 07h29
