France Seeking ‘Clear Message’ from China to Russia over Ukraine

France’s top diplomat said Monday 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, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country’s “independent” stance.
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.
And Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Monday it wanted “China to send very clear messages to Russia” over its war in Ukraine.

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.
Macron also visited last April, receiving a rock star welcome at a university in southern China from hundreds of screaming students and fans.
The top diplomat’s visit this week comes as part of events marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China.
He will later in the day take part in the launch of the “Versailles and the Forbidden City” exhibition, where around sixty works of art and valuables from the palace will be open to the public until the end of June.
France’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing come as the EU seeks to shield itself from excessive reliance on China.