French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a three-day state visit to China by meeting President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders have signed 12 cooperation agreements spanning nuclear energy, agriculture, education, and panda conservation.

The summit marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and China, with both sides pledging deeper political trust and economic collaboration.

The agreements aim to expand trade and investment, boost cultural exchanges, and reinforce multilateralism through the United Nations. Macron and Xi agreed to pursue what they described as a “balanced partnership” amid rising global tensions.

On geopolitics, Macron urged Beijing to leverage its influence over Russia to secure a winter ceasefire in Ukraine and a halt to strikes on critical infrastructure. He also pressed for fairer market access to reduce Europe’s widening trade deficit with China, citing disputes over Chinese electric vehicles and restrictions on critical mineral exports.

Xi, who will host Macron with rare provincial honors in Sichuan, encouraged France to maintain “independence” in international affairs. He highlighted opportunities to deepen cooperation in aerospace, artificial intelligence, green energy, and biopharmaceuticals.

However, no major commercial breakthroughs were announced. A long-discussed order for 500 Airbus jets was notably absent, with analysts suggesting Beijing is holding the deal as leverage in ongoing trade talks with Washington.

Macron’s delegation included top executives from Airbus, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Alstom, alongside leaders from France’s dairy and poultry sectors. The French president seeks to protect domestic jobs while navigating EU-wide frictions, including tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.