• Friday's tea with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Guangzhou, China's business hub, capped French President Emmanuel Macron's official China tour.
• China's diplomatic approach to France is viewed with skepticism in Washington.
• According to US government sources, if its relations with the US worsen, China is looking to align with Europe strategically.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his official China visit by having tea with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Guangzhou, the commercial center of China's export-driven economy.

Guangzhou, where Xi Jinping's father was a high-ranking official, was chosen to show Macron that the Chinese leader cared about him as an individual.

Notwithstanding Western fury at Xi's backing for Vladimir Putin and his reluctance to condemn Russia's attack on Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron China visit signified a desire to retain trade and economic ties with Beijing, per The Financial Times.

Ursula von der Leyen, chief of the European Commission, accompanied Emmanuel Macron for a portion of his three-day tour to demonstrate European unity in its approach to China.

However, von der Leyen was omitted from several opulent activities while the French leader was pampered with a luncheon, military march, and other state visit formalities.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former French prime minister, remarked on the sidelines of an agreement ceremony in the Great Hall of the People that the charm of Xi Jinping was working.

"Isn't diplomacy, at one point or another, a bit of flattery?" he said, noting that it is inevitable in every human interaction, and each side uses it.

US Skeptic of China's Friendly Gesture To France

China's diplomatic outreach to France is met with some suspicion in Washington. According to persons acquainted with the US government's perspective, China would desire a realignment that strategically brings it closer to Europe as its ties with the US deteriorate.

The sources, who asked not to be identified, said that Washington is adopting a wait-and-see attitude to European interactions with China over Ukraine, per Reuters.

Ursula von der Leyen also appreciated Xi's willingness to meet with Zelensky.
Although Macron has been friendly with Chinese officials, von der Leyen has taken a firmer stance.

She warned Beijing on Thursday that sending armaments to Russia would "significantly harm" connections, saying she had expressed grave worries about the worsening of the violation of human rights in China.

Read Also: Biden Administration Proposes New Rule on Trans Athletes in Schools

Moscow, though, has cast doubt on the likelihood of China mediating, stating on Thursday that it has "no choice" but to continue its onslaught in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that "undoubtedly," China possesses an extremely powerful and "commanding" capability for mediation. "But the situation with Ukraine is complex, and so far, there are no prospects for a political settlement."

Emmanuel Macron China Visit Highlights France's Business Partnerships with China

Emmanuel Macron China trip has been about more than just ending the Russia-Ukraine war; it has also been strengthening a vital trading relationship.

According to Inquirer, the top executives of Airbus, EDF, and Veolia are among the more than 50 French business leaders who are accompanying the country's leader.

In a joint statement, the two governments promised to "improve market access" for each other's businesses.

Regarding the digital economy and 5G, France has also promised Chinese companies that their license applications would be handled "fairly and without prejudice." In light of France's current limitations on Huawei, it's unclear what effect such a promise would have.

In 2024, the two countries will mark the "China-France Year of Culture and Tourism," an initiative to see collaborations between cultural institutions in both countries.

After easing COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, France has been actively courting high-spending Chinese visitors.

Related Article: China's Train Ticketing App Goes Global