World risks 'disintegration of the international order' as Macron urges Xi to back Ukraine peace

China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues like Russia's war in Ukraine and trade, as France prepares to take on the presidency of G7 next year.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday morning as part of a three-day state visit focused on trade and diplomacy.

The French leader is seeking to involve Beijing in pressuring Russia towards a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent flurry of diplomacy around a US-led peace proposal.

"We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever," Macron said on Thursday.

"I hope that China will join our call, our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure," he said.

Xi did not respond to France's call, but said that "China supports all efforts that work towards peace" and called for a peace deal that all parties will accept.

China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has also extended an economic lifeline through increased trade.

Xi also announced that China will provide $100 million (€85 million) to help Gaza's ongoing humanitarian crisis and to support the territory's recovery and reconstruction.

Xi called for building greater political trust with France by showing each other support while demonstrating each side's "independence."

"No matter how the external environment changes, both sides as major powers should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual understanding and mutual support for each other on core matters and major critical issues," he said.

"China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise high the banner of multilateralism ... and firmly stand on the right side of history."

Some bilateral deals could undermine EU

Xi said during the joint appearance that both sides had agreed to work towards greater economic cooperation in areas of aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear energy, as well as new areas such as green industries and AI.

They signed 12 agreements, including ones calling for cooperation on a new round of panda conservation efforts and exchanges in higher education and research.

The European Union ran a massive trade deficit with China of more than €300 billion last year. China alone represents 46% of France's total trade deficit.

France and the European Union have described China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival.

Recent years have been marked by trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies and China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.

But France was able to get an exemption for most cognac producers in July.

China, facing its own economic slump, is also signalling it wants more business.

"China's open door will only open wider," Xi said, saying that the country plans to "expand market access, and opening up areas" of investment "and guide the cross-border, orderly, and rational layout of industrial and supply chains."

Xi also called for both sides to continue to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.

But some experts have said they expect Beijing to use this visit to strengthen its individual ties with one of Europe's most important economies, at the expense of the greater EU bloc.

"China seeks to drive a wedge into this EU approach by making deals bilaterally with individual EU members," said Lyle Morris, a senior fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security at the Asia Society.