Sébastien Le Belzic, edited by Julia Solans 07h41, 03 April 2023

Emmanuel Macron is visiting China this week for a period of three days. The President will visit Beijing and Guangzhou for the first time since 2019, accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The war in Ukraine will obviously be the main topic of discussion even if the head of state aims to make the French economy shine.

This is Emmanuel Macron's first visit to China since 2019, long before Russia invaded Ukraine. According to an adviser to Emmanuel Macron, the goal will be to avoid the worst: military support from China to Russia. The conflict that has shaken Europe since February 24, 2022 will obviously be at the center of discussions and the president's visit to Beijing and then Canton promises to be difficult. A visit that should last three days in total.

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China's support for Russia 'a determining factor'

The Head of State will be accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, during this perilous trip. The latter did not mince her words to criticize Chinese support for Russia: "The way China continues to react to Putin's war will be a determining factor in the future of relations between the EU and China."

For his part, Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassador to the European Union, is counting on this visit to change the mind of the president of the European Commission. "We hope that his visit to China and his dialogue with Chinese leaders will give him a better understanding of China," he said.

Emmanuel Macron accompanied by big French bosses

During this visit, the president intends to make the French economy shine. Emmanuel Macron will indeed be accompanied by sixty major French bosses, hoping to sign large contracts, especially in the field of ecological transition. The head of state is expected to fly precisely in two days to the Chinese capital.