Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Foreign Minister, commenced a two-day trip to China for discussions with his Chinese counterpart. The topics of their conversation included the conflict in Ukraine as well as ongoing trade disagreements between China and Europe.

Barrot met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said in a news conference that both countries should “choose multilateralism over unilateralism…and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes instead of decoupling and isolation”.

His statements mirrored phrases often employed by China to condemn U.S. foreign policy and the worldwide system led by the West.

Later, Barrot had a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, who stated, “We all recognize that at present, global peace is elusive, and instability along with growing uncertainties pose significant challenges.”

“As two autonomous and accountable leading nations, China and France ought to enhance collaboration. Our partnership should introduce greater stability into both bilateral ties and global affairs,” stated Li.

Barrot stated that the world is “experiencing turbulent times wherein several key principles, notably those of multilateralism, are being undermined.”

“In this context, a new Europe is rapidly emerging, its only compass being strategic autonomy. This new Europe is investing massively in its defence, in energy,” the minister told reporters.

On Friday, Barrot will be heading to Shanghai for discussions with municipal authorities and prominent business figures.

Support for Ukraine

Although France has strongly supported Ukraine in its conflict with Russia’s aggression, China has taken a different stance by backing Russia politically and offering economic support through the purchase of Russian natural resources.

Barrot’s visit provides a chance to assess China’s stance on Ukraine before a significant French-organized conference discussing a potential peacekeeping force for the nation.

The discussions arise amid growing divisions between the United States and Europe regarding ongoing support for Ukraine, with Washington progressively being viewed as supporting Moscow instead.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Wednesday that a proposed European military force might be sent to Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement. This force could “react” should Russia initiate such action.

Europe has frequently criticized China for what they see as unfair trading behaviors, claiming these practices compel European businesses to collaborate with local Chinese firms, disclose corporate strategies, leading to substantial trade imbalances favoring China.

The two sides additionally released a collective declaration emphasizing their collaboration on addressing climate change as they commemorated the tenth year since the signing of the Paris Agreement. They stated, “Given the necessity for ambitious action outlined in this accord and its enduring objectives, every party must infuse fresh momentum into global efforts aimed at collectively combating climate change, alongside safeguarding biodiversity and ecological systems.”

China leads as both the biggest producer and user of fossil fuels, primarily coal.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has started the one-year process to again pull out of the 2015 Paris climate agreement and, formalising another withdrawal from both climate and foreign aid programs, has told world financial institutions that the US is pulling out of the international climate Loss and Damage Fund.

In its first 50 days, the Trump administration has eliminated or cut funding for domestic environmental justice, foreign aid, scientific research and climate change. It is also forcing government departments and institutions receiving public funds to abolish any and all diversity, equity and inclusion programmes on pain of being defunded or shut down.