On the last day of his visit to China, French President Emmanuel Macron said he discussed the need for a “strong and lasting peace” in Ukraine with Chinese President Xi Jinping and outlined Europe’s vision for ending the conflict.

Macron’s three-day visit to Beijing follows the trip to Paris by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who urged Europe to support Kyiv as Washington pushes a peace plan that repeats some of Russia’s demands.

BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.

Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday (December 5), marking a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy and which highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its dealings with the European Union.

State visits such as French President Emmanuel Macron's trip to China are very useful to keep the communication between governments and reinforce business ties, according to Cathay Capital's Managing Partner Bruno Bezard,