Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on the international community to work toward an early resumption of peace talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine, following their talks in Beijing.
The two leaders, who jointly met the press, also shared the view that nuclear weapons shall not be used and a nuclear war shall not be fought in Ukraine.
Xi emphasized the need to stay rational and exercise restraint so that actions that will further aggravate the Ukraine crisis can be avoided. He also said in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, "the legitimate security concerns of all parties" should be taken into account.
China has close ties with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In a position paper on the first anniversary of the invasion, Beijing sought a comprehensive cease-fire but did not call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the neighboring country.
Later Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined Xi and Macron for a three-way summit meeting after holding separate bilateral talks with the Chinese leader.
Von der Leyen said she encouraged Xi to reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Chinese leader expressed his willingness to speak with him "when conditions and time are right." She told a press conference this was "a positive element."
At the outset of the talks with Xi, Macron said he expects Xi will "bring back Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table."
Von der Leyen also told the news conference China has a "big responsibility" to use its influence based on its friendship with Russia. "We expect China will play its role and promote a just peace, one that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.
The EU chief also warned China against providing weapons to Russia directly or indirectly, saying arming the aggressor would violate international law and significantly harm its relationship with the regional bloc.
The French president is on a three-day trip to China through Friday, his first visit since November 2019.
Xi said in his opening remarks China and France, as major countries with a tradition of independent policymaking, have "the ability and responsibility to rise above differences and obstacles" at a time when "the world today is undergoing a profound historic transformation," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Chinese leader also said Macron's visit will "inject new momentum and bring new vitality to China-Europe relations." Beijing has been eager to deepen cooperation with European countries amid its intensifying rivalry with the United States.
Macron is accompanied by some 50 French business leaders representing such companies as Airbus SA and energy giant the EDF Group. Following the Xi-Macron talks, China and France signed cooperation deals in such sectors as nuclear energy, aviation and cosmetics.
Earlier Thursday, Macron met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, the head of China's top legislative body. The two assumed their posts last month.
The French president is scheduled to travel to Guangzhou in southern China on Friday and exchange views with local students and investors.
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