French President Emmanuel Macron has landed in China shortly ahead of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen as the two European leaders seek to smooth ties with a key economic partner while broaching thorny issues like Ukraine and trade risks
However, some analysts said ostentatious deal-signing would appear opportunistic at a time of growing distrust of China in the United States and its Western allies over issues ranging from Taiwan to its cosy ties with Moscow.
Macron invited von der Leyen on the trip as a way to project European unity, after French officials criticised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz forMacron has pushed the EU to be more robust in trade relations with China and is broadly supportive of von der Leyen's stance, the French president's advisers said, but he has publicly refrained from using strong anti-China rhetoric, Beijing being prone to bilateral retaliatory measures.
"Both have not only business in mind but also Ukraine," Joerg Wuttke, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, said of Macron and von der Leyen.for the Ukraine crisis, which called on both sides to agree to a gradual de-escalation leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.
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