French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday and called for a “strong partnership between France and China” to deal with the geopolitical crisis.
Paris expects the talks to focus on resolving the Russian war in Ukraine, as well as conflicts in the Middle East and trade tensions between China and the European Union. “The pace of the crisis is accelerating everywhere. At this time, it is essential to strengthen cooperation between China and France,” Barrot said in a meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang in Beijing on Thursday morning.
“Our two countries must work together,” he said, acknowledging that Beijing and Paris have “differences” on the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine. “A new Europe is emerging rapidly, facing political, economic and security challenges. Its only guide is strategic autonomy,” he said. “This new Europe is investing heavily in its defense, energy security and future technologies,” Barrot said.
He said, “France will remain particularly vigilant in protecting its interests and values.” At the meeting, Chinese diplomat Wang warned that “the international situation has changed again and it will become more chaotic.” He urged both countries to “adhere to multilateralism” and “work together for world peace and development.”
“In the current context, a strong Franco-Chinese partnership is more necessary than ever at the service of geopolitical stability, prosperity and the future of our planet,” Barrot told the students during a meeting with French students in China. China hopes that Barrot’s visit this week will further deepen cooperation between the two countries in a world facing “unrest and transformation.”
The two sides will reportedly discuss ways to jointly resist “unilateralism and the revival of the law of the jungle,” referring to US President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January.
Pressure on Russia
After meeting with top officials in Beijing, Barrot is scheduled to travel to the Chinese financial capital Shanghai. While in Shanghai, he will attend a France-China business forum and inaugurate a hydrogen production plant built by the Air Liquide group on Friday. Beijing has said it will use the visit to “strengthen political mutual trust.”
France and China have sought to improve ties in recent years, but Paris has been pressuring Beijing to change its policy towards Moscow. The bilateral relationship between China and Russia has been strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine.
China has stated that it is neutral in the Ukraine conflict. China is a close political and economic ally of Russia, and NATO member states have called Beijing a “critical ally” in the war.
