Europe’s Strategic China Crossroads

From nuclear cooperation to EU de-risking, Macron’s China trip exposes the contradictions inside Europe’s China policy—and its implications for India in the Indo-Pacific

- SANJAY AGARWAL THE WRITER IS A FORMER SECURITY ADVISOR, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, GOI

Macron's fourth visit to China blends symbolism, hard economics and geopolitical signalling

French President Emmanuel Macron’s fourth state visit to China (Dec 3-5, 2025) mixed symbolism with hard economic bargaining.

There was a special focus on nuclear energy cooperation and a high-profile joint (protocol-breaking) trip with Xi Jinping to Chengdu - China's defence, aerospace and panda-research hub.

Macron arrived in Beijing with a large delegation of ministers and nearly 40 CEOs, signalling an intent to deepen economic ties while addressing Europe’ trade deficit and market-access concerns. A rare proto-

col gesture followed talks with Xi in Beijing: Xi personally accompanied Macron to Chengdu, where they visited the Dujiangyan irrigation project and a panda facility, underscoring France’ special status within Europe in China’ diplomacy.

Politically, Macron reiterated France's one-China policy and framed the trip as part of Europe's pursuit of “strategic autonomy” - engaging China on trade, climate and Ukraine while trying to reduce over-dependence and assert distinct European positions from Washington. Ukraine, Middle East crises and global governance featured in the strategic dialogue, with France pressing Beijing to play a more constructive role without securing any major policy shift.

> Numerous cooperation agreements were signed, covering civil nuclear energy, ageing populations, agriculture, education, environment and panda conservation.

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