- Emmanuel Macron is visiting China amidst controversy over Taiwan, with China seeking support from France in its dispute with Japan over the island's status.
- Macron's visit comes after Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a potential conflict over Taiwan could pose an existential risk for Japan, prompting China to lash out and condemn her "provocative remarks".
- Macron will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other senior leaders to discuss issues including economic ties, trade tensions, and the war in Ukraine, with the French president aiming to address "global imbalances" and convince Xi to use his influence to end the conflict.
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The French president’s last visit to China, two-and-a-half years ago, was overshadowed by remarks that appeared to put limits on his commitment to supporting Taiwan. A three-day visit that kicks off Wednesday comes as the democratically-ruled island claimed by Beijing is back in the spotlight. China has been seeking back up from France — one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — in its recent dispute with Japan over Taiwan’s status. Beijing lashed out after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last month suggested that a potential conflict over the island could pose an existential risk for Japan.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, used a Thursday call with Macron’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to say the two sides needed to support each other and to condemn Takaichi’s “provocative remarks.” An official at Macron’s Elysee Palace on Thursday called for the status quo to be respected, and for an easing of tensions.
The new Japanese leader’s comments are problematic for China in two ways. On the most basic level, they imply Taiwan’s future could become an international dispute — while Beijing’s One-China policy insists the island’s future is a domestic issue. Beyond that, Takaichi’s remarks suggest any conflict would be serious enough for Japan to legally justify deploying its military in support of the Taiwanese.
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Macron was instrumental in persuading the European Union to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year, prompting Beijing to retaliate with minimum price requirements on French cognac makers. Since then, Macron has pushed the EU to deploy its toughest trade tools in response to Chinese restrictions on the supply of rare earths.
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For France, a key goal will be to address what Macron has called “global imbalances,” including over-production in China and Beijing’s dependence on exports, which he says leads to trade tensions.
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Another key point for Macron will be his long-running push to convince Xi to use his influence on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Despite their regular contact since the full invasion in 2022, the French leader hasn’t been able to prevent China from exporting dual goods to Russia.
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