2024-05-06 19:00:48
War, the Olympic Games or the sale of cognac. This Monday, Emmanuel Macron discussed extremely varied subjects during a press conference given from the Élysée, on the occasion of the first day of visit to France by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. This visit aims to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Do not “smear” China on the Ukrainian issue
During his speech this Monday, Emmanuel Macron mentioned the war in Ukraine, welcoming the Chinese “commitments” “to refrain from any arms sales to Russia”. He also reaffirmed his respect for “the ancient ties that unite China and Russia, as well as the efforts that have been made over decades to stabilize this relationship.” “Without security for Ukraine, there can be no security for Europe,” insisted the French president.
VIDEO. Xi Jinping in France: “coordination” with China on Ukraine and the Middle East is “decisive”, says Macron
For his part, the Chinese president called on Paris not to “sully” his country on the Ukrainian issue, Beijing playing, according to him, a “positive role” in finding a peaceful solution to the war. “We oppose using the Ukraine crisis to shift blame to others, smear a third country and trigger a new Cold War,” Xi Jinping said in a reference to Western criticism.
A global “Olympic truce”?
A few months before the competition and in an international context crossed by wars, Emmanuel Macron once again called for a global “Olympic truce” during the Paris 2024 Games.
The French president welcomed the “will” of his Chinese counterpart to “ask all stakeholders” in the various conflicts for “an Olympic truce” during the Paris games this summer.
No tax on cognac
On a completely different theme, Emmanuel Macron thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for not imposing “provisional” customs taxes on French cognac, after having offered him bottles of it during his state visit to France.
French cognac is the subject of an anti-dumping investigation launched by Chinese authorities. According to a French diplomatic source, China has indicated that there will be no immediate customs duties as a precautionary measure, pending the outcome of the investigation.
This first day of visit to France for Xi Jinping ends with a state dinner at the Élysée. This Tuesday, the two presidents will go to the Hautes-Pyrénées, for a less formal exchange.
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