“The Chinese do not view Ursula van der Leyen’s presence very favorably”

Emmanuel Macron on Friday, April 7, concluded a three-day visit to China, where he accompanied the President of the European Commission, Ursula van der Leyen, and met with Xi Jinping on several occasions.

The French head of state has not visited China since November 2019. For three-and-a-half years, relations between Beijing and the West have been strained, particularly with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday discussed the Russian invasion, which China has not formally condemned. In a speech to the French community in Beijing earlier Wednesday, the French head of state felt China could “Plays a key role” In the resolution of the conflict. According to him, the “conversation” with officials in Beijing “Essential”.

What is your assessment of this journey? Our correspondent in Beijing, Frédéric Lemaitre, answers your questions from 10am..

to go deeper

narrative. In Beijing, Emmanuel Macron failed to convince Xi Jinping to make a move on Ukraine.

Encryption. In China, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula van der Leyen’s landmine trip

Grandstand. “Emmanuel Macron and Ursula van der Leyen’s visit to Beijing should be an opportunity to send a firm message to the Chinese authorities”

Chronic. “Xi Jinping wants to rely on the ‘Global South’ to avoid a hostile North and position himself as an indispensable power”

Chronic. Xi Jinping’s anti-Western rhetoric, shared by Vladimir Putin, complicates the Europeans’ dilemma in relation to China.