G20 summit: what to remember from the meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping

Jacques Serais, edited by Laura Laplaud 07:35, November 15, 2022

Emmanuel Macron spoke with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 in Bali.

It was 1:20 a.m. Paris time when the two leaders shook hands before meeting in a large hall of the Chinese president's hotel.

Emmanuel Macron had one objective before this meeting: to convince Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin's main ally, that the war in Ukraine is not in his interest so that China puts pressure on Russia.

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Did Emmanuel Macron achieve his ends?

In the entourage of Emmanuel Macron, we welcome this exchange which will have lasted a little more than 40 minutes.

After sending his best wishes for success to Xi Jinping, who has just been reappointed by the Communist Party, the tenant of the Élysée Palace has from his introductory remarks called on China to join forces with France against the war in Ukraine.

"I share your wish to do everything so that the Indonesian presidency can make this G20 a success, that is to say, reduce tensions, the gaps that exist in the international environment, and allow us to build , which I believe is in the interest of China and France, real stability, tangible elements of cooperation that allow us to bring peace," he said.

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During this interview, Emmanuel Macron asked the Chinese President to call on Vladimir Putin to "return to the negotiating table" in order to avoid escalation.

A message received according to the Élysée which considers that "the dynamic is positive".

Emmanuel Macron also plans to go to Beijing early next year.

On the Chinese side, the report is a little more measured.

Xi Jinping's entourage confirms that China will continue to play a constructive role in reaching a ceasefire but "in its own way".