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Paris expects China to send a “clear message” to close partner Russia over the Ukraine war, France’s top diplomat said on Monday after a meeting with diplomats in Beijing.
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France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years, and during a meeting in Paris in February, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that the Chinese government highly valued France’s “independent” stance.
But Paris is also trying to pressure Beijing over its increasingly close ties with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine.
China claims to be a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict but has been criticized for refusing to condemn the Russian government’s attack.
Paris, by contrast, has become one of Kiev’s strongest supporters, even refusing in February to rule out the possibility of Macron stationing troops in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne also said on Monday that he hoped “China would send a very clear message to Russia” over the Ukraine war.
“We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace without negotiations with the Ukrainian side,” he said at a press conference in Beijing, along with China’s Wang and others.
“Without peace according to international law, there is no security for Europeans,” he continued.
“This is an essential issue for us, which is why France is determined to maintain a close dialogue with China,” he said.
And Beijing could play an “important role” in ensuring respect for international law, he said.
Séjourne’s visit to China is the second by a French foreign minister within six months, following that of his predecessor Catherine Colonna (November).
Macron also visited a university in southern China in April last year, where he received rock star cheers from hundreds of students and fans.
But he faced accusations of pandering to Beijing and sparked controversy when he said Europe should not become a “follower” of the United States in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.
This week’s visit by top diplomats was part of events commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China.
Later that day, he will take part in the launch of the “Versailles and the Forbidden City” exhibition, where around 60 art and valuables from the palace will be on public display until the end of June.
“Derisking” instead of “decoupling”
And France’s efforts to improve relations with China come as the EU seeks to protect itself from over-reliance on China.
This “risk avoidance” has emerged as a core part of Europe’s economic policy toward China in recent months, necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The term is in contrast to a more drastic approach known as “decoupling” promoted by some U.S. policymakers that aims to isolate China or sever all trade ties with China. are in contrast.
But a report published last month by China’s European Union Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that the EU increasingly sees China not only as a “partner” but also as an “economic competitor and institutional rival.” It is said that there is.
And on Monday, Séjourne said in Beijing that decoupling was not being considered.
But he said an “economic rebalance” was needed to make trade “sound and sustainable”.
In response, Foreign Minister Wang said he “appreciated” Séjourne’s rejection of decoupling.
“It is impossible to decouple from China, and decoupling from China is the biggest risk,” Wang said.
Business: China’s PM says ‘risk avoidance’ calls from Western countries are ‘false proposals’
“China has proven and I believe it will continue to prove to be an opportunity, not a risk, for Europe. We are partners, not rivals,” he said.
(AFP)
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