French President Macron met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday during a state visit focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

It is Macron’s fourth trip to China, and he arrived with a large delegation of French business leaders, accompanied by his wife Brigitte. 

The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, where Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, welcomed the French president.

Macron is also scheduled to meet with Premier Li Qiang before traveling with Xi to the southwestern city of Chengdu in Sichuan province — a rare gesture from the Chinese leader, who seldom accompanies visiting heads of state outside the capital. 

While trade is a central pillar of the trip, Xi is not expected to confirm the long-anticipated purchase of Airbus aircraft nor announce relief from tariffs imposed on European brandy imports, 99% of which originate from France.

Still, Macron aims to push forward on other economic priorities and reinforce commercial cooperation between the two nations. 

感谢中国如此热情的接待

Thank you China for your warm welcome! pic.twitter.com/GWaiKKzJgD

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 6, 2025

At the same time, the French president hopes to use the visit to encourage Beijing to apply greater diplomatic pressure on Moscow.

Paris communiqué following the meeting

Paris argues that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a crucial role in international stability. “We are counting on China to pressure Russia so that Vladimir Putin finally agrees to a ceasefire,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said earlier this week. 

China regularly calls for peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, but it has never condemned Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Western governments continue to warn that Beijing may be providing economic and technological support to sustain the Russian war effort, including the supply of components with potential military applications. 

According to the Élysée, Macron will stress to Xi that China must refrain from providing any support that could enable Russia to continue the conflict. The visit thus seeks to balance economic diplomacy with Europe’s ongoing efforts to mitigate a war that is now approaching its fourth year.