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China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China looks to France for better EU ties amid tension over Lithuania, sanctions

  • Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron, holds talks with top Chinese officials in the eastern city of Wuxi
  • Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan says France should guide other EU members towards a ‘correct understanding of China’

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Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, co-chairs the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in Wuxi on January 13, 2022. Photo: Xinhua
Catherine Wong
As France takes over the EU’s rotating presidency, it should lead the European Union towards “correct understanding” and practical cooperation with China, senior Chinese officials said.
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That message was delivered to Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron, during talks with several top Chinese officials in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi on Thursday.

The meetings comes after Macron reportedly pushed for brisk EU resistance against Beijing amid its escalating trade and diplomatic tensions with Lithuania.

It also comes after France indicated it would not join the US in boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics next month, and that during its rotating presidency it would try to reach a common EU position on the participation of politicians at the opening ceremony.

The US, Canada and Australia have said they will not send high-level officials to the opening ceremony, and the new German government announced that its ministers for foreign affairs and sports would not attend the Games.

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During a virtual meeting with Bonne on Thursday, Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan said France should guide other EU members towards a “correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China”. according to a statement from state news agency Xinhua.

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