Emmanuel Macron meets Xi in China for lavish state reception

Emmanuel Macron arrived in China today to meet Xi Jinping for a lavish state reception, after Beijing appeared to distance itself from Moscow. China's ambassador to the European Union has attempted to distance Beijing from Moscow after a strengthening of ties between the nuclear-armed superowers, as French president Emmanuel Macron arrived for a meeting with Xi Jinping China's President Xi Jinping, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen meet for a working session in Beijing, April 6 Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6 Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron review troops during an official ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6 Fu Cong said critics of Xi's regime had misinterpreted its relationship with the Kremlin, after a strengthening of ties between the nuclear-armed superpowers. Despite Beijing's apparent support of Moscow, Chinese ambassador Fu downplayed Russia and China's declaration of a 'no limits' friendship ahead of Macron and von der Leyen's visit, while also criticising accusations levelled at his country. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6 Chinas President Xi Jinping shakes hands with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron as they attend the official welcoming ceremony in Beijing on April 6 Chinas President Xi Jinping talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron as they arrive for the official welcoming ceremony in Beijing on April 6, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron pose on the podium during an official ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6 Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 6 Chinese President Xi Jinping sits across a table from French President Emmanuel Macron as the pair attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 6 French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen arrive for a working session with the Chinese president in Beijing, April 6 Observers, however, have contrasted this lack of contact from Xi with his frequent contact with Putin and the visit to Moscow last month, which saw the two autocrats meet for hours and toast each other over a grand dinner in the Kremlin. MARCH 21: Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21 Fu's comments came as embattled French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in China, and said his country wants to forge a 'common path' on peace in Ukraine.