Macron relaunches: 'Need a European Union closer to China'
- Gabriele Iuvinale
- 4 minuti fa
- Tempo di lettura: 3 min
Macron reiterates the strategic importance of a strengthened dialogue between Europe and China, focusing on economic cooperation and global stability
On the afternoon of May 22, President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, at Macron’s request.
Xi Jinping emphasized that during his visit to France in May last year, both sides agreed to continue the spirit of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutually beneficial cooperation, giving new contemporary meaning to the diplomatic relations between China and France. Since then, cooperation between the two countries has made significant progress. Xi called for strengthening strategic communication and building consensus, seizing the opportunity to deepen collaboration in traditional sectors such as investment, aerospace, and nuclear energy, while expanding cooperation in emerging fields like the digital economy, green economy, biomedicine, and the silver economy. He also highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges and fostering people-to-people friendship.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II and the founding of the United Nations. Xi recalled that China and France, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major independent powers, were architects of the post-war international order. He reiterated the need to strengthen unity and cooperation to safeguard the authority of the United Nations, uphold the rules of international trade, and promote genuine multilateralism. In an increasingly complex international context, according to Xi, China and France must make the right strategic choices and act as reliable forces for global stability, economic growth, and multilateral cooperation.
Xi also stated that China regards Europe as an independent pole in a multipolar world and supports the EU’s strategic autonomy, hoping for closer collaboration to address global challenges and achieve mutually beneficial results for both sides and the world.
Particularly significant were President Macron’s remarks, in which he reaffirmed the crucial importance of relations between France, Europe, and China, highlighting their global value. Macron stated that, regardless of how the international situation evolves, France’s position—which attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the “One China” principle—will remain unchanged.
He expressed his willingness to strengthen practical cooperation with China in economic, trade, and investment sectors, maintain the positive momentum of bilateral relations, and further promote France-China relations.
Facing a rapidly changing international context, Macron emphasized France’s readiness to intensify communication and coordination with China on major global issues, fulfilling the responsibilities of a permanent member of the UN Security Council, preventing the escalation of crises, and jointly contributing to regional and global peace and stability. He also called for stronger dialogue between Europe and China to safeguard common interests.
Finally, the two heads of state held an in-depth discussion on international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the Ukrainian crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Iranian nuclear issue.
Economic and trade relations
France is China's third largest trading partner and the third largest source of actual investment in the EU. China is France's largest trading partner in Asia and the seventh largest in the world. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and France was $79.58 billion, an annual increase of 0.8 percent. Among them, China's exports were $44.49 billion, an annual increase of 6.9%, and imports were $35.09 billion, an annual decrease of 5.9%.
The two countries signed agreements on scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, cooperation in environmental protection, cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and cooperation in health and medical science.