Macron Presses Xi on Ukraine as China Vows “Constructive” Role and Signs Accords

Overview

• In Beijing talks, Macron called Chinese cooperation decisive for achieving at least a Ukraine ceasefire and for halting attacks on critical infrastructure.
• Xi said China supports all efforts for peace and will play a constructive role in seeking a solution, while rejecting attempts to assign blame for the war.
• The leaders oversaw 12 cooperation agreements covering areas such as nuclear energy, aging policy, environmental initiatives and panda conservation, with no financial terms disclosed.
• Macron arrived with a delegation of about 35 executives from firms including Airbus, EDF and Danone, yet no major commercial aircraft purchase was announced.
• Macron urged Beijing to engage with France’s upcoming G7 agenda on correcting global trade imbalances and strengthening rules-based economic governance, with follow-up meetings continuing in Chengdu on Friday.