2023 France–China Summit
{{Short description|Meeting between Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, and Xi Jinping}}
{{Infobox summit meeting
|name = 2023 France–China summit
|other_titles = 2023年法中国事访问
|logo =
|image = P060812-622679.jpg
|country = {{Flag|China}}
|date = April 5–7, 2023
|motto =
|venues = Great Hall of the People, Beijing
Guangzhou, Guangdong
|participants = {{flagicon|France}} Emmanuel Macron, President of France
{{flagicon|European Union}} Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
{{flagicon|China}} Xi Jinping, CCP General Secretary & President of China
|chairperson =
|follows =
|precedes =
|website =
|keypoints =
- Discussions on the Russo-Ukrainian War and China’s role as a mediator{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/04/05/macron-and-von-der-leyen-visit-increasingly-distant-china_6021759_4.html|title=Macron and von der Leyen visit increasingly distant China|date=April 5, 2023|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=Le Monde|language=en|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405083416/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/04/05/macron-and-von-der-leyen-visit-increasingly-distant-china_6021759_4.html|url-status=live}}
- Signing of several economic and cultural agreements{{cite web|url=https://skift.com/2023/04/03/airbus-in-talks-for-new-china-jet-order-ahead-of-macron-visit/|title=Airbus in Talks for New China Jet Order Ahead of Macron Visit|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=Skift|language=en|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404105944/https://skift.com/2023/04/03/airbus-in-talks-for-new-china-jet-order-ahead-of-macron-visit/|url-status=live}}
- Strengthening of the strategic partnership between France, the EU and China{{cite web | title=President Xi Jinping Holds China-France-EU Trilateral Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen | website=中华人民共和国外交部 | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202304/t20230406_11055596.html | access-date=2024-05-06}}
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{{Emmanuel Macron sidebar}}
The 2023 France–China summit was a three-day state visit by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, to China from April 5 to 7, 2023. It was Macron's first visit to China since the COVID-19 pandemic and his third since taking office in 2017. He was accompanied by a delegation of more than 50 CEOs and met with members of the French business community in China. He also met with Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, to discuss various issues. By recalling the solid foundation of China-France relations and the friendship between the two peoples, the two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, China-EU relations and major international and regional issues, especially the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and China's potential role as a mediator between Russia and the West.{{cite web | last=Wong | first=Hayley | title=China, France make peace pledge on Ukraine as Macron caps trip with Xi meeting | website=South China Morning Post | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216350/macrons-visit-guangzhou-university-lesson-past-cooperation-and-push-future-academic-ties-china | access-date=2024-05-06}} The visit was seen as an attempt to "reconnect" with China after three years of its zero-Covid policy and despite Beijing's increasing benevolence to Russia in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war.{{cite web|date=April 5, 2023|title=Macron and von der Leyen visit increasingly distant China|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/04/05/macron-and-von-der-leyen-visit-increasingly-distant-china_6021759_4.html|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=Le Monde|language=en|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405083416/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/04/05/macron-and-von-der-leyen-visit-increasingly-distant-china_6021759_4.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=China holds key to peace in Ukraine, says Macron |url=https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2023/04/05/china-holds-key-to-peace-in-ukraine-says-macron |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=www.gulftoday.ae}}
Background
Macron had visited China twice before, in January 2018 and November 2019. During his first visit, he announced a "comprehensive strategic partnership" between France and China and signed several agreements on trade, climate change, nuclear energy and culture. He also presented Xi with a horse named Vesuvius as a gift.{{cite web|date=January 8, 2018|title=Macron offers China horse as state visit begins|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42630108|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=BBC News|language=en|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405165453/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42630108|url-status=live}} During his second visit, he attended the China International Import Expo in Shanghai and met with Xi in Beijing. He also invited Xi to visit France for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024.{{cite web|date=November 6, 2019|title=Macron in China to seek more access for French companies|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191106-macron-in-china-to-seek-more-access-for-french-companies |access-date=April 5, 2023|website=France 24|language=en}} However, since then, the relations between China and France, as well as between China and the European Union, have been strained by several factors. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, which was first identified in China, led to Beijing effectively shutting its borders to travel and imposing strict quarantine measures on incoming visitors. This hampered the exchange of people and goods between China and other countries, including France.{{cite web|date=March 26, 2020|title=Coronavirus: How is China using its influence in the EU? Analysis by Euronews expert|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-how-is-china-using-its-influence-in-the-eu-analysis-by-euronews-expert|access-date=April 5, 2023|website=Euronews|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Visit
= Beijing =
Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, President of the Constitutional Council Laurent Fabius, a number of ministers and parliamentarians, as well as more than 60 heads of large enterprises and more than 20 cultural figures will accompany the delegation.{{cite web | title=马克龙率"豪华阵容"抵京，释放积极信号丨世界观-中新网 | website=China News Service| date=2023-08-04 | url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gj/2023/04-05/9984644.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}} Macron meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 6 and holds talks with new Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During the meeting, Li highlighted that China is willing to work with France to push the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level. Macron stated that France supports China's development and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of trade, agriculture, aviation, finance, nuclear energy, innovation, tourism and humanities.{{cite web | title=重要新闻_中华人民共和国外交部 | website=中华人民共和国外交部 | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/zyxw/202304/t20230406_11055632.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}
Cultural exchanges were also an important part of Macron's trip.{{cite web | title= 这场开幕式上，马克龙与黄渤互动了！| website=解放网 | url=https://www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res/html/web/newsDetail.html?id=599924 | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}} China and France have discussed they were willing to convene a new round of meetings of the mechanism for high-level cultural exchanges at an early date. Macron has invited French director Jean-Jacques Annaud, actress Gong Li and her husband, French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre and other cultural figures to accompany him on his visit to China.{{cite web | title=French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre headed to China | website=France 24 | date=2023-04-04 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230404-french-electronic-music-pioneer-jean-michel-jarre-headed-to-china | access-date=2024-05-06}}{{cite web | title=马克龙,黄渤,握手,法国 | website=首页 - 美国中文网 | url=https://www.sinovision.net/portal.php?mod=view&aid=529059&mobile=yes | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}} On the day of his arrival in Beijing, Macron inaugurated the opening ceremony of the "Sino-French Cultural Spring" festival. He appeared on stage with Huang Bo, the festival's publicity ambassador.{{cite web | title=法国总统马克龙与中国演员黄渤共同为第17届"中法文化之春"揭幕 | website=中国日报网 | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202304/06/WS642e4b64a3102ada8b237071.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}
File:P060812-298097.jpg in Beijing|210px]]
In contrast to Macron's warm reception, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also visited China,{{cite web | title=EU's von der Leyen to visit China April 5–7 | website=Reuters | date=2023-04-03 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/eus-von-der-leyen-visit-china-april-5-7-2023-04-03/ | access-date=2024-05-06}} was reportedly given a cold reception.{{cite web | title=Macron and Von der Leyen's last day in China, Xi, Macron to hold informal talks in Guangzhou | website=CDE News - The Dispatch - Local Perspective | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://cde.news/macron-and-von-der-leyens-last-day-in-china/ | access-date=2024-05-06}} On the afternoon of April 6, President Xi Jinping met with Von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People. Xi stated that China and the EU should strengthen communication, establish correct mutual perceptions and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. Von der Leyen said the European Union totally disagreed with the idea of "delinking and breaking the chain" and hoped to strengthen communication and dialogue with the Chinese side and restart the three dialogue mechanisms. On the issue of Taiwan raised by von der Leyen,{{cite web | last=Bermingham | first=Finbarr | title=European Union chief cautions Beijing against taking Taiwan | website=South China Morning Post | date=2023-04-19 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3217507/von-der-leyen-cautions-beijing-against-taking-taiwan | access-date=2024-05-06}} Xi emphasized that it was at the core of China's interests, and "anyone who expects China to compromise and back down on the Taiwan issue is delusional, and will only be lifting a rock and hitting his own foot."{{cite web | title=重要新闻_中华人民共和国外交部 | website=中华人民共和国外交部 | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/zyxw/202304/t20230406_11055598.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}{{cite web | title=习近平会见冯德莱恩：指望中国在台湾问题妥协退让是痴心妄想 | website=联合早报 | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20230407-1380414 | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}
= Guangzhou =
On April 7, President Emmanuel Macron visited Sun Yat-sen University, which became the first in Southern China to launch a French department in 1957.{{cite web | title=马克龙访广州中山大学 缘起中法教育交流史 | website=星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.sinchew.com.my/news/20230407/international/4597300 | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}} President Macron was warmly welcomed and entertained by the faculty and students.{{cite web | last=Rose | first=Michel | title=At elite Chinese university, Macron hails 'critical thinking' | website=Reuters | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/elite-chinese-university-macron-hails-critical-thinking-2023-04-07/ | access-date=2024-05-06}}{{cite web | title=Macron mobbed at university on final day of China trip | website=France 24 | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230407-macron-in-guangzhou-on-final-day-of-china-trip | access-date=2024-05-06}}
On the afternoon of April 7, Xi held an informal meeting with Macron in Songyuan, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province.{{cite web | last=Jiangtao | first=Shi | title=Macron and Xi's Guangzhou rendezvous a sign of China's enthusiasm, analysts say | website=South China Morning Post | date=2023-04-05 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216106/macron-and-xis-guangzhou-rendezvous-sign-chinas-enthusiasm-french-leader-analysts-say | access-date=2024-05-06}} Xi briefed Macron on the essential features and core tenets of Chinese-style modernization. Macron said that true friendship was mutual understanding and mutual respect. He indicated that France appreciated China's consistent support for France and Europe to adhere to independence, autonomy and unity, and was willing to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, strengthen technical and industrial cooperation, open up bilateral markets, and strengthen scientific and technological cooperation, including in artificial intelligence.{{cite web | title=习近平同法国总统马克龙在广州非正式会晤__中国政府网 | website=中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 | date=2023-06-21 | url=https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/2023-04/07/content_5750451.htm | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}
On the evening of April 7, the two sides issued the Joint Declaration of the People's Republic of China and the French Republic,{{cite web | title=Déclaration conjointe entre la République française et la République populaire de Chine. | website=elysee.fr | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2023/04/07/declaration-conjointe-entre-la-republique-francaise-et-la-republique-populaire-de-chine | language=fr | access-date=2024-05-06}}{{cite web | title=中华人民共和国和法兰西共和国联合声明（全文）-新华网 | website=Xinhua News Agency | date=2023-04-07 | url=http://www.news.cn/2023-04/07/c_1129503357.htm | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}}{{cite web | title=中法联合声明：共同致力为国际安全挑战寻求基于国际法的解决方案 | website=世界频道-财新网 | date=2023-04-07 | url=https://international.caixin.com/2023-04-07/102016736.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-06}} which included language on trade, nuclear war, the war in Ukraine, the food crisis, climate change, and the multilateral trading system.{{cite web | author=The American Conservative | last2=Snider | first2=Ted | title=The Most Important Line in the China-France Joint Statement | website=The American Conservative | date=2023-04-17 | url=https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-most-important-line-in-the-china-france-joint-statement/ | access-date=2024-05-06}}
Outcomes
French business leaders, including Airbus and Alstom officials, accompanied Macron to the summit in China.{{cite news |title=Macron to take French business leaders to China next week, despite EU calls to 'de-risk' ties |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3215647/macron-take-french-business-leaders-china-next-week-despite-eu-calls-de-risk-ties |work=South China Morning Post |date=1 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Airbus Targets A350 Wide-Body Sale on Macron's China Trip |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-03/airbus-said-to-target-a350-wide-body-sale-on-macron-s-china-trip#xj4y7vzkg |work=Bloomberg |date=3 April 2023}}{{cite news |title=Airbus announces helicopter deal with Chinese firm during Macron visit |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2023/04/07/airbus-announces-helicopter-deal-with-chinese-firm-during-macron-visit_6022044_19.html |work=Le Monde |date=7 April 2023}}
Plans for a new Airbus assembly line in China were announced by Macron during the summit.{{cite news |title=Airbus CEO - new China assembly plant boosts output goals |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-ceo-new-china-assembly-plant-boosts-output-goals-2023-04-06/ |work=Reuters |date=6 April 2023}} Airbus will add this second assembly line for A320 narrow-body aircraft at its plant in Tianjin, producing up to 75 A320 NEO family aircraft per month by 2026. In addition, China has purchased 150 A320 NEO aircraft and 10 A350 aircraft.{{cite news |title=空客再签中国采购大单：160架飞机，总价值约200亿美元_10%公司_澎湃新闻-The Paper |url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_22597097 |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=www.thepaper.cn}}{{cite news |title=Airbus and China aviation industry sign next phase in partnership {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-04-airbus-and-china-aviation-industry-sign-next-phase-in-partnership |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=www.airbus.com |date=6 April 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Alderman |first1=Liz |title=Airbus to Double Production in China as It Moves Ahead With New Orders |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/business/airbus-china-double-production.html |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=6 April 2023}}
Électricité de France has renewed its global cooperation agreement with China General Nuclear Power Group, which has been in force since 2007, covering the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants.{{cite web | title=France, China sign cooperation deals in nuclear and renewable energy | website=Reuters | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/france-china-sign-cooperation-deals-nuclear-renewable-energy-2023-04-06/ | access-date=2024-05-06}} The company has a joint venture with CGNPC to build the world's first European Pressurized Water Reactor Generation III nuclear power plant in Taishan, Guangdong.{{cite news |title=China, France expand nuclear cooperation : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News |url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/China,-France-expand-nuclear-cooperation |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=world-nuclear-news.org}}
CMA CGM has worked with COSCO and Shanghai Port Group to develop biofuels. The company has reached new agreements in China for the supply of bio-methanol and e-methanol and signed deals to build new ships in China.{{cite web | last=Lepic | first=Bojan | title=CMA CGM, COSCO, Maersk, ONE sign up for transpacific green corridor | website=Splash247 | date=2023-09-25 | url=https://splash247.com/cma-cgm-cosco-maersk-one-sign-up-for-transpacific-green-corridor/ | access-date=2024-05-06}}
GDF SUEZ signed a seawater desalination cooperation project with Wanhua Chemical Group and China Railway Shanghai Engineering Bureau Group, further expanding the cooperation between the three parties in the field of environmental protection.{{cite web | title=Wanhua Chemical teams up with French partner on seawater desalination project | website=ex.chinadaily.com.cn | url=https://ex.chinadaily.com.cn/exchange/partners/70/rss/channel/www/columns/y38633/stories/WS6449ec5aa310b6054fad0211.html | access-date=2024-05-06}} Alstom signed an agreement to supply electrical equipment for the Chengdu Metro.{{cite web | last=Batrak | first=Oleksandr | title=Alstom is implementing a new traction system in China | website=Railway Supply | date=2023-05-29 | url=https://www.railway.supply/en/alstom-is-implementing-a-new-traction-system-in-china/ | access-date=2024-05-06}} L'Oreal and Alibaba signed a three-year strategic cooperation agreement.{{cite web | last=Ackroyd | first=Alison Tudor | title=Alibaba, L'Oréal Sign Deal to Make Beauty Industry Greener in China | website=Alizila | date=2023-04-12 | url=https://www.alizila.com/alibaba-loreal-sustainable-esg-packaging-beauty-industry-greener-china/ | access-date=2024-05-06}}
Soon after the summit, on 30 June, EU leaders unveiled a "de-risking" policy towards China which scaled back their unofficial "decoupling" policy, reflecting concerns about cutting off the world's second-largest economy and the potential economic damage caused by a trade war.{{cite web | last=O'Carroll | first=Lisa | title=EU softens China strategy by adopting 'de-risking' approach | website=the Guardian | date=2023-06-30 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/30/eu-china-strategy-de-risking-ursula-von-der-leyen-brussels | access-date=2024-05-10}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Emmanuel Macron}}
{{Xi Jinping}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:France-China Summit, 2023}}
Category:2023 in international relations
Category:2023 in the European Union
Category:Diplomatic visits to China
Category:China–European Union relations