How is French President Emmanuel Macron emphasizing stronger economic and political cooperation with China during his three-day visit and could this engagement reshape EU-China relations, trade balances, and influence on global conflicts?
Emmanuel Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Chengdu: French President Emmanuel Macron began his three-day state visit to China with a series of high-profile meetings in Beijing on December 4. Accompanied by executives from France's leading companies, Macron held discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, culminating in the signing of twelve cooperation agreements. The agreements focus on sectors including nuclear energy, population ageing, bilateral investment, and panda conservation.
The high-level engagement demonstrates Beijing's strategic attention to Paris as a major European partner. It also underscores France’s role within the European Union, particularly as EU-China relations remain complex amid trade disputes and geopolitical tensions.
On December 5, Macron began his day with a surprise jog at Jincheng Lake Park in Chengdu, attracting attention from locals. Later, he joined President Xi at the historic Dujiangyan dam in Sichuan province, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has managed regional water flows since the third century BC. This informal, symbolic interaction between the leaders marked a departure from conventional diplomatic protocol, reflecting efforts to strengthen personal and political ties.
Macron described the gesture as “very touching” and emphasized mutual trust and cooperation at a time of rising international tensions. The visit also included cultural diplomacy, with Brigitte Macron visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where pandas loaned to France were recently returned. Macron himself met with French Olympic table tennis stars Alexis and Felix Lebrun competing in China.
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During the meetings in Beijing, Macron stressed the importance of overcoming differences and focusing on economic and geopolitical cooperation. One priority is persuading China not to impose tariffs on French pork and dairy products, following a history of trade tensions. Previous conflicts included France pushing the EU to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and China retaliating with minimum pricing rules for French Cognac. Macron also sought increased Chinese investment in France and highlighted the importance of fair trade relations between China and the European Union.
The twelve agreements signed do not disclose monetary amounts, but they signal a willingness to expand collaboration across multiple sectors, including long-term strategic investments.
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Macron is expected to lobby Beijing to contribute to a ceasefire in Ukraine, while also pressing for fairer economic engagement between Europe and China. Despite China’s calls for peace and territorial respect, Beijing has not condemned Russia’s invasion and continues to provide economic support. Strengthening bilateral relations with France could help China secure allies within the EU on global economic and political matters.
Xi Jinping underscored the importance of mutual trust, independence, and strategic vision, encouraging France and China to demonstrate multilateral responsibility and maintain principled cooperation amid global uncertainties.
Macron’s visit to China blends formal diplomacy, cultural engagement, and high-level trade negotiations. From signing cooperation agreements to jogging alongside Xi and visiting pandas, the trip illustrates France’s efforts to secure strategic influence, promote economic fairness, and enhance geopolitical collaboration with China. The outcomes may influence not only EU-China relations but also broader global trade and conflict resolution efforts.
