Beijing: In reference to the Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to "bring Russia to its senses" and cautioned him against arming Moscow.

The French president has made it clear that he wants to discourage China from supporting Russia's invasion of its neighbour. He arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a three-day state visit.

During their private meeting, Macron told Xi, "I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table." Following a formal welcome ceremony in Tiananmen Square on Thursday that included a 21-gun salute, the two leaders met.

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According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Xi declared to the press that he "stood ready to issue a joint call with France" for the restart of "peace talks as soon as possible" after their meeting.

He reaffirmed his support for everyone to "avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities" and the "solemn pledge that nuclear weapons must not be used."
Everyone needs to be reminded of their responsibilities in this regard, especially Russia, said Macron.

Next to the Chinese leader, Macron said that Vladimir Putin's recent declaration that he intends to send tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus "is not consistent with the commitments made to you, to us, and to international law."

Xi travelled to Moscow last month to reaffirm his alliance with Putin, who is seen as an anti-Western front, but the two have not yet had a direct conversation.

A French diplomat claims that Xi expressed a willingness to speak with Zelensky, but only at the appropriate time. The French diplomat continued, "Macron pressed Xi Jinping not to deliver anything to Russia that would be used for its war against Ukraine," in response to Western claims that Beijing may be considering sending weapons to support Russia's conflict.

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Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, who is travelling with Macron, praised Xi for being receptive to speaking with Zelensky.

She claimed that during a meeting she had with Chinese officials on Thursday, she had warned against sending arms to Russia because it would "significantly harm" relations.

China is expected to play its part in promoting a just peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is one of the tenets of the UN charter, according to von der Leyen. "As a member of the UN Security Council, there is a big responsibility," she said. Moscow shot down any chance of mediation on Thursday, adamant that it had "no choice" but to continue its offensive in Ukraine.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, "China has unquestionably a very effective and commanding potential for mediation." However, the situation in Ukraine is complicated, and there are currently no prospects for a political resolution.

Macron's first trip to China since 2019 comes as Western pressure on Beijing to support efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine grows.

Officially, Beijing is indifferent, and Xi has never denounced the Russian invasion.
Regarding Ukraine, Macron stated that he wants to "be a voice that unites Europe" and that his trip to China with von der Leyen "underlines the consistency of this approach."

Following Macron's meetings with Xi, von der Leyen and a trio of other leaders met before the French and Chinese leaders had a state dinner.
On Friday, Macron will travel to Guangzhou in southern China to meet with students. He will be accompanied by a sizable delegation that includes notable businessmen, politicians, and even celebrities like composer Jean-Michel Jarre.

As Chinese pressure on Taiwan grows, President Tsai Ing-wen of the island met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday in California. Since there is only "one China," Beijing recoils at any official interactions between Taipei and the rest of the world.

Hours before the talks began, China had placed an aircraft carrier close to Taiwan and had repeatedly warned the two parties that the meeting should not take place. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported on Thursday that three additional warships had been spotted in the waters separating the island from China.

Macron is keen to cement a crucial trade partnership, so his trip also has a significant economic component. More than 50 French business leaders, including the top executives of Airbus, EDF, and Veolia, are with Macron.

Airbus announced on Thursday that it would expand its production capacity in China by opening a second final assembly line there. The framework of the agreement was signed in Beijing by CEO Guillaume Faury.

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As demand for air travel rises along with an expanding middle class, Asia has emerged as a key market for both Airbus and its US rival Boeing.

With the Chinese market continuing to expand, "it makes a lot of sense for us to be serving local for the Chinese airlines, and probably some other customers in the region," said Faury.