France’s top diplomat yesterday said that Paris expects China to send “clear messages” to its close partner Russia over its war in Ukraine, after meetings with his counterpart in Beijing.
France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years and, during meetings in Paris in February, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) told French President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country’s “independent” stance.
However, Paris has also sought to press Beijing on its close ties with Moscow, which have only grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.
Photo: AP
While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive.
Paris has, in contrast, become one of Kyiv’s firmest backers, with Macron in February even refusing to rule out putting troops on the ground in Ukraine.
In an interview with French newspaper La Tribune’s Sunday edition, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu said that the French military is replacing its old VAB armored personnel carriers.
“This old equipment, still operational, is going directly to Ukraine in large quantities. We’re talking about hundreds [of vehicles] in 2024 and early 2025,” Lecornu said.
Lecornu also said France would provide Ukraine with more anti-aircraft missiles.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne yesterday said Paris wanted “China to send very clear messages to Russia” over its war in Ukraine.
“We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians,” he told a news conference in Beijing, speaking alongside Wang.
“There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law,” he said. “It is an essential issue for us, which is why France is determined to maintain a close dialogue with China.”
And Beijing could play a “key role” in ensuring respect for international law is maintained, he said.
Sejourne’s visit is the second to China by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following a trip by his predecessor, Catherine Colonna, in November last year.
The top diplomat’s visit this week comes as part of events marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China.
France’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing come as the EU seeks to shield itself from excessive reliance on China.
That “derisking” has emerged in the past few months as a core pillar of the European bloc’s economic policy toward China, becoming necessary after the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The term contrasts with the more drastic approach known as “decoupling” — pursued by some policymakers in the US who aim to isolate China or cut all commercial ties with the country.
Sejourne said decoupling was not on the cards.
However, he said, an “economic rebalancing” was needed to ensure trade is “healthy and sustainable.”
Wang said he “appreciates” Sejourne’s rejection of decoupling.
“It is not possible to decouple from China, and decoupling from China is the biggest risk,” Wang said. “I believe that it has been proved, and will continue to prove, that China is an opportunity and not a risk for Europe. Both sides are partners and not rivals.
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