The leader is keen to persuade Xi Jinping to use his influence over Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine

 
Emmanuel Macron is the latest European leader to make the trip to China following on from Spain’s Pedro Sanchez who visited last week.

As well as re-engaging with China following years of isolation during the pandemic – these leaders are keen to try and persuade President Xi to use his influence over Russia to try and bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

But there’s little optimism that these diplomatic efforts will succeed, with China so far showing little willingness to get both Ukraine and Russia around the negotiating table.

As well as the conflict in Ukraine – President Macron is keen to talk trade. He’s brought along a large delegation of business leaders from France, representing major companies such as Airbus and EDF.

France, like many other European nations, see China as a vital partner for trade and investment and they will be keen to improve economic links following the pandemic.

President Macron is being joined on this trip by the EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen. She has been critical of China in recent weeks, pointing to their refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and talking up the risks of doing trade with China.

And as ever with a European leaders visit to China, human rights concerns will likely be on the agenda. French officials claim that president Macron will raise a number of issues, including the treatment of Uyghurs and other minorities.