Macron tells Xi that China, France must overcome differences'

"Macron's three-day visit aims at getting China to exert pressure on Russia for ceasefire deal with Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that their two countries must overcome their differences during a trip to Beijing focused on economic and geopolitical cooperation. The two leaders met in China's capital Beijing on Thursday, holding wide-ranging talks at the Great Hall of the People that ranged from ending the war in Ukraine to redressing global economic imbalances."

"Macron and other EU leaders have accused China of providing crucial economic support for Russia's war effort and providing military components for its defence industry, something that Beijing has denied, she said. China has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Macron's visit to China, his fourth since taking office, came straight after he met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris as delicate US-brokered ceasefire efforts continue."

Macron traveled to Beijing to press Xi Jinping for Chinese pressure on Russia to secure a swift ceasefire in Ukraine. The leaders held wide-ranging talks at the Great Hall of the People covering ending the war and correcting global economic imbalances. Macron and other EU figures accused China of providing economic support and military components to Russia, allegations Beijing denied; China has not condemned Russia's 2022 invasion. The visit followed Macron's meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid US-brokered ceasefire efforts. French officials expect Beijing to refrain from supplying Russia means to continue fighting, while Xi called for a more stable strategic partnership.

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