France urges China to send 'clear message' over stance on Ukraine
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This is the second visit to China by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following that of Catherine Colonna in November.
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France's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Stephane Sejourne with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing, China Monday, April 1, 2024. (AP)
France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne relayed to China on Monday that it expects it to send "clear messages" to Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Following a meeting in Beijing with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Sejourne said in a press conference alongside Wang, "We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians," adding, "There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law".
He continued that China could serve a "key role" in implementing respect for international law.
This is the second visit to China by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following that of his predecessor Catherine Colonna in November.
President Emmanuel Macron visited China in April last year, but was accused of warming up to China, and said that Europe shouldn't be a "follower" of the US in case of a conflict between China and Taiwan.
'Decoupling is an illusion'
This comes after France's Finance Minister warned that breaking all economic ties with China was "an illusion," as several Western countries rethink their reliance on the Asian powerhouse.
Read more: China, France agree to contribute to Russia-Ukraine peace process
"We are totally opposed to the idea of decoupling. Decoupling is an illusion," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters at the French embassy, adding that "There is no possibility of having any kind of decoupling between the American, European and Chinese economies."
However, he noted that the term "de-risking," which has been popular in the West in recent months, "does not imply that China is a risk."
With that being said, on his part, Wang said he "appreciates" Sejourne's rejection of decoupling, as it is impossible "to decouple from China, and decoupling from China is the biggest risk."
"I believe that it has been proved, and will continue to prove, that China is an opportunity and not a risk for Europe. Both sides are partners and not rivals," he added.
