In a bid to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, France's top diplomat has urged China to send "clear messages" to its ally Russia. The French Foreign Minister, Stephane Sejourne, expressed his expectations during his visit to Beijing for meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

France and China have been working towards strengthening their bilateral ties in recent years. During Wang Yi's visit to Paris in February, he commended France for its "independent" stance. However, France remains concerned about China's close association with Russia, which has only grown stronger since the invasion of Ukraine.

Despite China claiming neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, it has faced criticism for its refusal to condemn Moscow's offensive actions. In contrast, France has become a staunch supporter of Ukraine, with President Emmanuel Macron even considering the deployment of troops to the region.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Wang Yi, Minister Sejourne emphasized the importance of Ukraine having a say in any lasting peace agreement. He stated, "We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians." Adding further, he underscored the significance of peace in Ukraine for the security of Europe as a whole.

France believes that China, as a significant global player, has the potential to play a pivotal role in upholding international law. Minister Sejourne called for a close dialogue between France and China to address the Ukrainian conflict and maintain respect for international norms.

This visit by Minister Sejourne follows a previous trip to China by his predecessor, Catherine Colonna, in November. It also marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China.

France's efforts to strengthen ties with China come at a time when the European Union (EU) is striving to reduce its reliance on China. "Derisking" has become a core aspect of the EU's economic policy towards China, aiming to safeguard against excessive dependence. This approach is in contrast to the "decoupling" strategy pursued by certain policymakers in the United States, who seek to sever all economic ties with China.

While the EU considers China as both an economic partner and competitor, Minister Sejourne assured that decoupling was not on the cards. However, he emphasized the need for "economic rebalancing" to ensure sustainable and fair trade practices.

Foreign Minister Wang expressed his appreciation for France's rejection of decoupling. He emphasized that China presents opportunities rather than risks for Europe, highlighting their partnership.

As France seeks to engage with China on the Ukraine conflict and maintain stronger economic relations, it remains to be seen how these discussions will shape the dynamics within the international community.

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