China and France call for peace in Ukraine. The presidents of the two states reached an agreement
France and China reached an agreement on cooperation and the deepening of bilateral relations between the two states. A statement to this effect was adopted in Beijing, following the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Under the document, the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command - primarily responsible for the South China Sea - will "deepen dialogue" with the French Asia-Pacific Command. The commitment comes amid heightened tension between US and Chinese forces in the Pacific.
In the same statement, it is mentioned that both sides support all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine based on international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter."
The two states also ask Russia to ensure the safety of Ukraine's nuclear facilities. China and France "oppose armed attacks on nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities" and support the International Atomic Energy Agency in ensuring "the safety and security of the Zaporizhia plant," reads the statement. Also, both countries request to refrain from any action that could aggravate the risk of tensions.
They also called on "all parties to the conflict" to "respect international humanitarian law". They call, in particular, for the protection of women and children affected by conflict and the increase of humanitarian assistance in conflict zones, as well as the provision of safe, rapid humanitarian access in accordance with international commitments. At the invitation of Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from April 5 to 7, 2023. As the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the two heads of state recalled the solid foundation of the relations between the two countries and the friendship between the two peoples.
They discussed in depth their views on the bilateral relationship, the EU-China relationship and major regional and international issues, and decided to launch new perspectives for Franco-Chinese cooperation and seek new impetus for EU-China relations.
