France’s Emmanuel Macron to meet Xi Jinping during China trip next week

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit China next week and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Élysée Palace said in a statement on Wednesday.

The three-day visit is scheduled to begin on December 3, with two stops in Beijing and Chengdu, according to the statement.

“On this occasion, major issues relating to the strategic partnership between France and China will be addressed, as well as several major international matters and areas of cooperation aimed at tackling the global challenges of our time,” the statement said.

The state visit came as Europe scrambles to respond to the Ukraine peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, as well as amid mounting trade tensions between China and Europe.

09:45

How do France’s ambitions as a global leader figure in China-US relations?

How do France’s ambitions as a global leader figure in China-US relations?

Beijing’s stance in the war has been causing unease in Paris as well as Brussels, both of which accuse China of supporting Russia’s war machine.