Xi and Macron Deepen Strategic Partnership, Champion Multipolar World in Beijing Talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping held extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, emphasizing the critical role of China-France cooperation in fostering a multipolar global order. The leaders convened at the Great Hall of the People for discussions aimed at strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (FMPRC).

The high-level meeting focused on expanding collaboration across both traditional and emerging sectors, including the green economy and artificial intelligence (AI). According to Xinhua, President Xi called for seizing opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas like aviation, aerospace, and nuclear energy, alongside new fields such as the digital economy and biomedicine.

Both leaders underscored their commitment to upholding multilateralism amidst significant global transformations and challenges. President Xi stressed the importance of a UN-centered international system and an international order underpinned by international law, a sentiment echoed by Macron, as noted by Anadolu Agency.

Economic ties were a key agenda item, with discussions centered on promoting mutual investment and ensuring fair business environments. China Daily reported that President Xi expressed willingness to import more high-quality French products and welcomed French enterprises, while also hoping for a level playing field for Chinese companies in France.

President Macron, on his fourth state visit to China, reaffirmed France's adherence to the One-China policy and expressed satisfaction with the dynamism of the Chinese economy, according to the FMPRC. He highlighted France's readiness to promote mutual investment and strengthen cooperation in trade and renewable energy.

The talks also covered deepening people-to-people exchanges in culture, education, science, and technology, aiming to foster closer ties between the two nations. cgtn reported that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had earlier met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to lay the groundwork for Macron's visit, emphasizing enhanced dialogue and strategic trust.

The leaders exchanged views on pressing global issues, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and AI governance, with France fully agreeing with President Xi's views on reforming and improving global governance, as stated by the FMPRC. This collaboration is seen as vital for contributing to world peace and prosperity.

• Historical Context of China-France Relations: China and France established diplomatic relations 60 years ago, with France being the first major Western country to do so with the People's Republic of China. This historical depth provides a unique foundation for their "comprehensive strategic partnership," a term China uses to signify a wide-ranging, long-term, and stable relationship covering politics, economics, security, and culture, as explained by Interpret.

• Shared Vision for a Multipolar World: Both China and France advocate for a multipolar world, albeit with nuanced interpretations. France's foreign policy has historically championed multipolarity as a means to assert its independent international role and ensure a multilateral approach to global issues, according to The National Interest. China, in turn, promotes "true multilateralism" as an alternative to a unipolar system, advocating for a more equitable international order and greater representation for the Global South, as detailed by East Asia Forum.

• Expanding Green Economy Cooperation: Cooperation in the green economy is a significant area of growth. China and France have already seen fruitful results in energy transition and green development, with bilateral trade growing substantially since 1964, as reported by China Daily. France brings expertise in nuclear and renewable energy technologies, while China offers significant economies of scale in wind power, photovoltaics, and new energy vehicle batteries, holding nearly one-third of the world's renewable energy technology patents.

• Collaboration in Artificial Intelligence: AI represents a crucial emerging field for bilateral cooperation. The EU and China possess complementary strengths, with the EU excelling in fundamental research and core algorithm development, and China leading in mass deployment, commercialization, and digital infrastructure, according to the Global Times. Discussions between Xi and Macron included strengthening coordination on AI governance to ensure responsible development and address ethical concerns.

• France's Strategic Autonomy and "De-risking": France's approach to China is guided by its doctrine of strategic autonomy, seeking to maintain its distinct stance within Western alliances while avoiding a strict decoupling from Beijing, as analyzed by the Atlantic Council. This involves "de-risking" policies to address concerns over China's industrial practices and technological competition, while still preserving engagement on global issues like climate change.

• Significance for EU-China Relations: This state visit holds broader implications for Europe-China relations. France encourages a rational, positive, and cooperative approach within the European Union towards China, as stated by the FMPRC. The discussions aim to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation despite geopolitical complexities.

• Addressing Global Governance and Challenges: Both nations, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, recognize their responsibility to address global governance reform. President Xi highlighted the need to tackle imbalances like uneven development and inadequate representation of developing countries in international financial institutions, advocating for a fairer global economic governance system, according to the FMPRC.

• Future Trajectory of the Partnership: The leaders expressed a commitment to advancing the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership into a new 60-year cycle, demonstrating its strategic value. This long-term vision includes continued efforts to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial economic globalization, as articulated by President Xi and reported by Xinhua.