French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China from December 3 to 5, marking his first state visit to the country in more than two years. The trip follows President Xi Jinping’s state visit to France last year and continues a long tradition of high level exchanges and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Macron has made China a regular stop throughout his presidency. Since taking office in 2017, he has visited the country three times, each time expanding dialogue and strengthening areas of cooperation. His 2018 visit took him to Xi’an, where both sides discussed trust-building and new projects. In 2019, he attended the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where he highlighted the importance of resisting economic decoupling. His 2023 trip included a large delegation and produced numerous cooperation agreements across several sectors.
The Elysee Palace said the upcoming visit is meant to maintain what it called a constant and demanding dialogue between China and France. Analysts say the trip reflects the continuity and strategic depth of the relationship. Professor Cui Hongjian of Beijing Foreign Studies University said Macron has repeatedly used high-level dialogue to steady ties and preserve long-term communication channels. He noted that France’s long tradition of independent diplomacy and its early recognition of China have given the relationship additional weight.
Cui said the current global environment makes such dialogue even more important. With the conflict in Ukraine, ongoing tensions in the Middle East and renewed tariff disputes, relations among major powers are entering a period of uncertainty. He argued that China France discussions offer stability at a time when global politics are shifting quickly and European countries are reconsidering their roles in the international order.
Macron’s delegation reflects France’s desire to deepen economic cooperation. Senior officials and business leaders from more than 20 major companies, including Airbus, Framatome and Dassault Systèmes, will accompany him. Their goal is to expand collaboration in aerospace, nuclear energy, digital industries, clean technologies and transportation. The Elysee Palace said Macron will also express Europe’s broader position, emphasizing that the European Union seeks reliable and balanced ties with China.
According to Cui, France was one of the earliest European nations to engage in China’s reform and opening. He said both sides now face new opportunities in investment, energy transition and technological development. Macron’s visit, he added, is not about making demands but about discussing challenges and finding solutions through cooperation.
Beyond political and economic discussions, Macron will also travel to Chengdu, home to two giant pandas, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, who spent 13 years in France before recently returning to China. The French leader is expected to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and discuss future panda cooperation. He will also attend cultural events highlighting creativity and people-to-people exchanges.
Cui said the strength of China France relations lies not only in diplomacy and trade but also in cultural cooperation. He noted that both countries are cultural powers and that long standing exchanges between them help build trust. Macron’s visit to Chengdu, he said, symbolizes this enduring cultural connection.
