France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years and, during meetings in Paris in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country’s “independent” stance.
But Paris has also sought to press Beijing on its close ties with Moscow, with Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne saying it wanted “China to send very clear messages to Russia” over its war in Ukraine.
“We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians,” he told a press conference in Beijing, speaking alongside his Chinese counterpart Wang.
“There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law,” he continued.
And China, he said, could play a “key role” in ensuring respect for international law is maintained.
Sejourne’s visit is the second to China by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following a trip by his predecessor, Catherine Colonna, in November.
Macron also visited last April, receiving a rock star welcome at a university in southern China from hundreds of screaming students and fans.
But he faced accusations of cosying up to Beijing and sparked controversy by saying Europe shouldn’t be a “follower” of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan.
‘Derisking’ not ‘decoupling’
And France’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing come as the EU seeks to shield itself from excessive reliance on China.
That “derisking” has emerged in recent months as a core pillar of the European bloc’s economic policy towards China, becoming necessary after the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
