Macron, XI to Hold Talks on Trade, War 12/03 06:13

   

   BEIJING (AP) -- Emmanuel Macron arrived in China on Wednesday for a 
three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomatic talks as the French 
president seeks to enlist Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire with 
Ukraine.

   Macron will advocate for an agenda of cooperation in economic and trade 
matters aimed at achieving a balance that ensures "sustainable, solid growth 
that benefits everyone," his office said.

   France is aiming to attract more investment from Chinese companies and 
facilitate market access for French exports. During the visit, officials from 
both nations are expected to sign several agreements in the energy, food 
industry, and aviation sectors.

   Macron is committed to defend "fair and reciprocal market access," his 
office said.

   He and his wife Brigitte wore open overcoats against the winter chill as 
they stepped off a plane after nightfall at an airport in Beijing and walked 
down a red-carpeted jetway. They were greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang 
Yi, who spoke with Macron before the French leader and his wife departed in a 
limousine.

   They are expected to visit the 18th-century Qianlong Garden complex in the 
Forbidden City, the former palace of China's emperors, on Wednesday evening. 
The garden, which dates from the Qing dynasty, recently reopened to the public 
after a major renovation.

   France will host the Group of Seven summit in 2026 involving the world's 
most advanced economies, while China will chair the 21-member Asia-Pacific 
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which includes the United States, South 
Korea, Japan, Australia, and Russia.

   The 27-nation bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China -- over 300 
billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of France's 
total trade deficit.

   France and the European Union have described China as a partner, competitor 
and systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by multiple trade disputes 
across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese 
electric vehicles subsidies. China responded with investigations into imports 
of European brandy, pork and dairy products.

   In July, Macron welcomed exemptions for most cognac producers as a positive 
step. France is China's first supplier of wine and spirits.

   Macron's talks with President Xi Jinping will also address Russia's war in 
Ukraine, particularly following a meeting Monday in Paris with Ukrainian 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss potential terms for a ceasefire.

   "What we want ... is that China can convince and influence Russia to move 
toward a ceasefire as quickly as possible and consolidate that ceasefire 
through negotiations which, in our view, should lead to solid security 
guarantees for Ukraine," a French top diplomatic official said.

   Paris expects Beijing to "refrain from providing Russia with any means 
whatsoever to continue the war," the official said, speaking anonymously in 
line with the French presidency's customary practices.

   China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said last week that Beijing 
believes in "dialogue and negotiation" to resolve the Ukraine war and supports 
"all efforts" leading to peace. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, 
China "has played a constructive role in promoting a political resolution of 
the crisis," she said.

   On Thursday, Macron will meet with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. Both 
leaders will then participate in a Franco-Chinese business forum. In the 
afternoon, Macron's agenda includes talks with Zhao Leji, chairman of the 
National People's Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

   The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in China's 
Sichuan province.

   On Friday, Macron and Xi will have talks in Dujiangyan, on the site of one 
of the world's oldest irrigation system. Macron will later meet with students 
from the Sichuan University.

   Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant 
Panda, where Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France that was named by 
first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month sent back to 
China a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13 years and 
gave birth to three cubs.