Macron stresses importance of peace with China

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to cooperate more closely on geopolitics, trade and the environment, as the European Union (EU) seeks China’s help to end the war in Ukraine while Beijing looks for diplomatic wins amid US tariffs. A large business delegation is accompanying Macron on his fourth state visit to the world’s second-largest economy, as he seeks to bolster his foreign policy credentials and secure commercial deals for French industry in a bid to revitalise his political legacy in the final years of his term after a tumultuous summer, and ahead of the 2027 presidential election.