PNN – The recent visit of the French President to China was considered one of the most significant diplomatic developments on the international stage, yet contrary to expectations, the trip failed to yield any tangible achievements for France.
Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to China was seen as a major diplomatic event internationally, but the trip did not bring any concrete benefits for France. It appears that rather than serving as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and France’s global standing, the visit highlighted the weaknesses of Macron’s diplomatic strategies. The event also demonstrated that the “forward-escape diplomacy” approach, often used by leaders during domestic crises, can no longer meet France’s needs in today’s world.
Upon Macron’s arrival in Beijing, China’s reception of the French president was cold and lackluster. Unlike previous visits, which featured extensive diplomatic protocols to welcome foreign leaders, this time only China’s Foreign Minister greeted Macron at the airport, while President Xi Jinping unexpectedly abstained from attending the welcome ceremony. This was a clear sign of France’s declining importance in China’s foreign policy and indirectly conveyed to Macron that China does not consider France a key player in global affairs.
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During the visit, Macron made two main requests of China: first, to work toward balancing trade relations between the two countries, addressing France’s complaints about the trade imbalance with China; and second, to take an active role in ending the war in Ukraine. However, in the current circumstances, China, as a global power, has positioned itself in a way that it cannot sacrifice its relations with Russia for the sake of France. Therefore, China not only remained indifferent to France’s request for improved trade relations but also implicitly rejected Macron’s request regarding the Ukraine conflict and refrained from engaging in the issue.
In response to France’s requests, China made no concrete commitments and even in terms of trade relations offered only general statements. Beijing is well aware of Macron’s domestic situation and knows that France currently lacks any leverage in negotiations. This allowed Chinese leaders not only to ignore Macron’s requests but also to demonstrate that in global politics, especially regarding the Ukraine war, they pursue their own priorities and are unwilling to alter their positions due to pressure from France.
Overall, the visit once again showed that Macron’s diplomatic strategies, particularly during domestic crises, no longer have the necessary effectiveness. The French president, who is in a very fragile position following widespread domestic protests and public dissatisfaction, seemed to view the trip to China as an opportunity to restore his global credibility. However, the visit revealed that Macron’s diplomacy lacks effective negotiation tools, and Beijing skillfully exploited this weakness.
This situation has also seriously weakened France’s position in global politics. World leaders, especially in China, no longer perceive France as an independent and powerful actor on the international stage. This reflects France’s diminished influence in global negotiations and its inability to effectively utilize diplomatic tools.
The conclusion from this visit is that the “forward-escape diplomacy” approach, which Macron sometimes employs to alleviate domestic pressures, no longer meets France’s needs. The trip not only failed to strengthen France-China relations but also weakened the country’s global standing. Therefore, restoring France’s position on the international stage requires a reassessment of its diplomatic strategies and strengthening its leverage when engaging with global powers.
Currently, France must seek ways to play an effective role not only in bilateral relations but also in international matters and global crises. If France aims to maintain and enhance its position on the world stage, it needs to fundamentally revise its foreign policies and adopt a more pragmatic and effective approach in its relations with powers such as China and Russia.