French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his "deep concern" to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea during a phone conversation, while also calling on Beijing to make a "significant contribution" to humanitarian aid provided by the United Nations to Palestinian civilians.
Macron and Xi spoke by phone on Monday, and according to a French presidential official, "[France] would like for China to realise to what extent this is a problematic development for France and the entire European Union.
"It [the cooperation] would naturally lead to fuelling the scope of the Russian aggression" against Ukraine, the official told reporters.
Russia has become a pariah in the West after launching full-scale hostilities in Ukraine last year and has looked to strengthen historic ties with North Korea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at a Far East spaceport in September.
In October, the White House said that North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia in recent weeks for use in Ukraine.
Macron Expresses "Deep Concern" To Xi Over Russia, North Korea Military Ties https://t.co/A3EiMJRzVa pic.twitter.com/mN9lrw2WJf
— NDTV (@ndtv) November 20, 2023
Meanwhile, China has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has deepened its economic, diplomatic and military cooperation with Moscow since the start of the war in February 2022.
According to Paris – during Macron's state visit to China in April – Xi said he was ready to work with France "to create conditions for talks" between Moscow and Kyiv.
Most analysts say that the war in Ukraine after the Russian invasion is in stalemate, with Western sanctions also failing to completely isolate Moscow politically and economically.
China's humanitarian support 'extremely limited'
During their conversation, Presidents Xi and Macron discussed the Israel-Hamas war, reportedly agreeing "to avoid a more serious humanitarian crisis."
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, "The two heads of state exchanged views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and both believe that the top priority is to avoid further deterioration of the situation between Palestine and Israel, especially to avoid a more serious humanitarian crisis."
The phone call comes days ahead of a visit to China by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and as a delegation of top diplomats from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan meet in Beijing for talks aimed at a "de-escalation" of the conflict in Gaza.
CCTV also reported that Xi and Macron had agreed to "continue to maintain communication on international and regional issues of common concern and contribute to maintaining world peace and stability".
"The 'two state solution' is the fundamental way to solve the recurrent conflict between Palestine and Israel," the state broadcaster added.
However, the Elysée palace remarked that to date, "Chinese [humanitarian] support is extremely limited – in the region of one million dollars a year – and we are therefore encouraging the Chinese authorities at the highest level to do much more."
Paris is also calling on Beijing to use its "influence" on Middle Eastern countries to "avoid any escalation" in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on bilateral ties and joint response to climate change, and exchanged views with him on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.https://t.co/GDl6w3J2Fc pic.twitter.com/YTP352XhJ4
— CCTV+ (@CCTV_Plus) November 20, 2023
Xi welcomes French investment
On a bilateral level, China has called for more French companies to invest in the country and hopes France will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms.
However, China faces an electric vehicle subsidy investigation by the European Union and a looming probe into its steelmakers.
Several European countries have complained about China's opaque laws and rules regarding foreign companies in the country.
"China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with the French side," Xi said, adding that he welcomed more French products entering the Chinese market.
Xi also said China was willing to strengthen cooperation with France at the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. China took over the presidency of the UN Security Council this month.
