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French President Emmanuel Macron met China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing on December 4, 2025, calling on China to use its influence to support a ceasefire in Ukraine and to help address Europe’s widening trade imbalance with the world’s second-largest economy.

The talks took place in the Great Hall of the People during Macron’s three-day state visit, his fourth to China since taking office, and came as France prepares to assume the G7 presidency next year.

Macron said France and China must work together despite their differences, stressing the need for cooperation on global security and economic governance.

Xi echoed the sentiment, calling for “more stable” ties and urging both countries to maintain what he described as the “independence and strategic vision of major powers.”

Chinese President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan hosted France’s Macron and his wife Brigitte with a formal red-carpet welcome, complete with an honor guard and rows of flag-waving children.

Macron smiled and blew kisses to the crowd as national anthems played before the two leaders entered the hall for their meeting.

President Xi Jinping held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron, who is on a state visit to China.

Both China and France are independent, visionary and responsible major countries and constructive forces in promoting multipolarity in the world and… pic.twitter.com/11ZLnEGDIe

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) December 4, 2025

Calls for Ceasefire in Ukraine

A central theme of the talks was the war in Ukraine, now nearing its fourth year. Macron is leading European efforts to shape negotiations and counter elements of a U.S.-backed peace plan criticized by some European governments for aligning too closely with Russian demands.

He told Xi that “our capacity to work together is decisive,” adding that the conflict “poses a vital threat to European security, but also to respect for the international order based on the rule of law.”

Xi reiterated Beijing’s message that China supports all efforts toward peace. “China supports all efforts committed to peace and hopes that all parties will reach a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties through dialogue and negotiation,” he said.

The French Presidential Office said Macron emphasized that China must refrain from providing any form of assistance that could support Russia’s military capabilities. Western governments have accused Beijing of supplying dual-use components that feed into Russia’s defense industry, though China denies providing direct military aid.

Macron’s visit follows his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the week. Zelenskyy urged European leaders to remain united as winter approaches, and Washington pushes its own plan to end the conflict. “We share the view that the war must be brought to a fair end,” Zelenskyy wrote after meeting Macron.

Trade Tensions and Economic Concerns

Trade featured prominently in discussions. France’s trade deficit with China reached $53 billion in 2024, while the EU’s broader deficit rose to $357 billion. Macron said China and Europe must address structural imbalances.

Macron has repeatedly called for reducing Europe’s dependence on Chinese supply chains and promoting what he describes as “European preference” in sectors such as advanced technology. Last month, he told a European tech forum that the continent could not be a “vassal” to either U.S. or Chinese tech giants.

China, for its part, is looking to ease tensions with the EU over its heavily subsidized electric vehicle sector and present itself as a stable partner as trade frictions with Washington intensify under U.S. tariffs.

“The imbalances we see accumulating today are not sustainable,” Macron told Xi. “There are solutions,” he added, calling for rules that were “fairer and stronger.”

Xi said China and France should “always demonstrate the independence and strategic vision of major powers” and respect each other’s core interests. He also urged deeper cooperation in aerospace, nuclear energy, green technology, artificial intelligence, and biopharmaceuticals.

However, no major commercial deals were signed during the ceremony, despite months of discussions over a large Airbus order. Analysts noted that Beijing is unlikely to approve a purchase of around 500 aircraft while it is engaged in parallel trade negotiations with the United States.

EU-China Trade Pressures

Macron also raised concerns about China’s restrictions on exports of critical minerals. Beijing’s controls on rare-earth elements have alarmed European industries that depend heavily on these materials for electric vehicles, semiconductors, and clean-energy technologies.

“It is essential to create an environment of trust and to deal with every instability risk in supply chains,” Macron said.

China is France’s seventh-largest trading partner, importing around $35 billion in French goods annually. Cosmetics, aircraft components, and alcoholic spirits account for a significant share.

France, in turn, imports about $45 billion in Chinese goods, many of them low-value parcels purchased through online platforms and benefiting from EU customs waivers for goods under $175.

Xi said China is ready to import more high-quality French products and wants France to offer a fair business environment for Chinese companies. He added that China and Europe should resist protectionism, arguing that global supply chains are deeply interconnected and that “decoupling” would undermine growth.

President Xi Jinping attended the closing ceremony of the Seventh Meeting of the China-France Business Council with French President Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron and delivered remarks.

This year, China and France have entered the second 60 years of diplomatic relations. The… pic.twitter.com/V3fYF74rGG

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) December 4, 2025

Panda Diplomacy

The two leaders also discussed cultural and scientific exchanges. Xi announced a new agreement on panda conservation, noting that “the French people love giant pandas.” Two pandas loaned to France were recently returned to China, and Beijing has promised to send new Pandas to continue the program. Macron will travel to Chengdu, home to China’s leading panda research centers, before concluding his visit.

During a banquet hosted by Xi and Peng Liyuan, the leaders highlighted 60 years of diplomatic relations and pledged to deepen cooperation in fields ranging from education and renewable energy to artificial intelligence.

They also witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering nuclear energy, agri-food products, ecological protection, and population ageing. Details of the agreements were not disclosed.

Global Governance and Multilateralism

Both leaders discussed broader geopolitical challenges, including the conflict in Gaza and concerns about global economic inequality. Xi said China would provide an additional $100 million in aid for Palestinian reconstruction.

He emphasized that China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should uphold multilateralism and work to reform global economic governance to give developing countries greater representation.

Macron said Europe and China should maintain dialogue and cooperation despite global instability. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to the one-China policy and said Europe must pursue “strategic autonomy” in its relations with global powers.

Macron will conclude his trip on Friday after accompanying Xi to Sichuan, marking a rare joint provincial visit by the Chinese leader, who seldom travels outside Beijing with foreign heads of state.