China-France summit 'multipolar system' ceasefire in Ukraine, 'closeness' to the Korean Peninsula
The China-France summit approached the start of negotiations on the “Ukraine armistice” by “excluding Taiwan” and agreed to a multilateral international system transition and “closeness” to the Korean Peninsula.
Immediately after the departure of French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited the country as a state guest from the 5th to the 7th, China started a massive armed demonstration from the 8th.
China's Fujian Provincial Maritime Administration announced in a statement on the 7th, "From 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on the 10th, we will conduct live ammunition shooting training in the Taiwan Strait in front of Pingtan County."
A spokesperson for the Eastern Front of the People's Liberation Army of China said on the 8th, "The Eastern Front will conduct combat security patrols and 'sharp sword combined training' surrounding Taiwan Island in the Taiwan Strait and northern, southern, and eastern seas and airspaces of Taiwan Island from the 8th to the 10th. will be organized according to plan."
The joint statement from the summit said, “In a multipolar world, the two countries must strengthen the multilateral international system with the United Nations at its core. "We also agreed to deepen dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding on international and regional security issues with the People's Liberation Army of China and the French Army Pacific Command," the statement said on the 7th.
The joint statement followed, saying, "France reaffirmed that it will adhere to the one-China policy. The two countries also agreed to continue close communication on the Korean Peninsula issue."
"The two countries reached a 'bulk purchase agreement' for Chinese airlines to purchase 160 Airbus aircraft," the joint statement said.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, who accompanied President Macron to China, announced the day before (6th), “We will build a second production line for the final assembly of passenger aircraft in China, doubling our production capacity in China.”
Airbus and China Aircraft Corporation (CAS) signed a contract to purchase 160 passenger planes right after the summit.
"President Macron and President Xi have agreed to work to end the war in Ukraine quickly and begin negotiations that fully respect international law," a French official who was an attendant at the China-France summit told reporters on the 6th.
The Global Times reported on the 8th that the China Shipping Group signed a contract with French shipping company CMA-CGM on the 6th to build 16 two-class container ships worth 21 billion yuan.
Voice of America (VOA), citing a French official, said, “President Xi told French President Macron that he is ready to speak with Ukrainian President Zelensky when the time is right.” predicted that it would happen soon,” it reported on the 7th.
The joint statement from the summit stipulated “pursuit of mutual benefit and common development of bilateral relations” and “full resumption of exchanges”.
The French House of Representatives (National Assembly) adopted a resolution on November 29, 2021 “urging the French government to use diplomatic means to help Taiwan participate in the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global meetings.
The Chinese embassy in France objected to this, saying, "The resolution boldly violated the 'one China' principle, interfered in China's internal affairs, and encouraged Taiwanese independence advocates."
Earlier, in October 2021, US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln issued a statement demanding support for Taiwan's participation in the UN system to UN member states.
The French cruiser 'Vendemiaire' was being monitored and tracked by Chinese forces as it navigated through the Taiwan Strait on April 6, 2019, Reuters reported, citing statements from two US government officials.
In response, China notified that it was suspending France's invitation to the 70th anniversary of the Navy's founding.
Regarding the China-France summit, the AP said, “The Chinese leader said that ‘the legitimate security concerns of all parties’ should be taken into account, and the French president said, ‘We must seek lasting peace. I believe this is an important issue for China as well.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who accompanied Macron on his visit to China, said he encouraged Xi to call Ukrainian President Zelensky and said the Chinese leader "reaffirmed his willingness to speak when conditions and time are right." .
"I think that's a positive factor," Lie Yen told The Associated Press.
“China’s courtship of Macron is part of its diplomatic moves this year as it tries to break free from the US blockade amidst the war in Taiwan and Ukraine and disagreements over US-led tech export restrictions,” Reuters reported. has increased by 12.2 per cent, and leaders and senior officials from Singapore, Malaysia, Spain and Japan have visited over the past few weeks.”
Reuters continued: “China helped broker a surprise détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March, and China has positioned itself as a peacemaker in the Middle East, motivated by a desire to form a multipolar world.” will continue over the next few weeks, and Chief Foreign Policy Joseph Borrell and German Foreign Minister will meet in Beijing.”
The New York Times said, “China hopes to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States by courting European leaders like President Macron, who favor greater autonomy in US foreign policy.”
"Beijing's fear is that Europe could impose trade and investment restrictions on China similar to those imposed by the United States," he said on the 7th.
"China hopes Macron can play a role in stabilizing EU-China relations," said Li Ming-jiang, an associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. It is a very important diplomatic goal for China in the future,” he told the NYT.