Xi and Macron Meet in Beijing Amid China-Europe Tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on December 4, 2025, during Macron’s fourth state visit to China.

The visit begins with a cultural stop at the Forbidden City, as France attempts to rebalance economic and security ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

Macron and Xi are scheduled to meet again in Chengdu later in the week, demonstrating that the trip combines symbolic visits with serious diplomatic talks.

The agenda reportedly covers trade access, investments, and Europe’s concerns over Chinese industrial dominance — including electric vehicles and rare-earth supply chains — which have strained trade relations.

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Another key topic is the conflict in Ukraine. France hopes China might use its influence over Russia to encourage a ceasefire, while Beijing has maintained strong ties with Moscow. Officially, China frames the visit as a step to guide development of the China-France relationship under “new circumstances,” with meetings planned involving China’s top leadership.

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Observers say the outcome remains uncertain. Past meetings yielded few concrete results on contentious issues like geopolitical rivalry and economic imbalance. Whether this visit leads to real policy shifts — or remains mostly symbolic — will depend on follow-up commitments in trade, investment, and diplomatic coordination.