What is Macron looking for in Beijing?
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Needless to say, the intensification of US-China competition and the war in Ukraine have complicated the relations between the EU and China. However, the Europeans and Chinese have always tried to ensure that their bilateral relations are not overshadowed by the Washington-Beijing competition and the likely pressures of the United States.
Apart from the bilateral talks on trade between China and the EU as well as China and France, what makes Macron’s visit to Beijing important includes the situation of the war in Ukraine and Beijing’s influence on the outcome of the war. China has the capacity to help the two warring sides reach a solution to the war. However, it is still not imaginable that Beijing would be able to establish peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Therefore, what is important for Macron and the EU is that China would not side with Russia in the Ukraine war and would pay attention to the positions and interests of the Europeans as well. It seems that Macron will try to prevent Beijing from completely siding with Russia during his talks with Xi Jinping. Macron hopes to ensure that China maintains its current distance from Russia.
So far, China has adopted a cautious policy towards the war in Ukraine and has not entered the war militarily. This is important for Europe because China’s military intervention could change the situation of the war and double the concerns of Europeans. Therefore, Macron will attempt to persuade Beijing to take the same cautious positions and maintain its distance from Russia.