China's Xi and France's Macron pledge cooperation on global crises and trade

China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues like the war in Ukraine and trade, as France prepares to take on the presidency of the Group of Seven next year.

- 

France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, and China's President Xi Jinping, left, walk during a state visit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

(Adek Berry/Pool Photo via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron met with China's Xi Jinping on Thursday morning as part of a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomacy.

France seeks help to end Ukraine war

The French leader is seeking to involve Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent burst of diplomacy around a U.S.-led peace plan.

"We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever," Macron said Thursday.

"I hope that China will join our call, our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure," he said.

Xi did not say respond to France's call, but said that "China supports all efforts that work towards peace" and called for a peace deal that all parties will accept.

China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and has also extended an economic lifeline through increased trade.