As it happened | French President Emmanuel Macron's China visit day one

Speaking to journalists, French President Emmanuel Macron said that anyone helping "aggressor" Russia in the Ukraine conflict would become an "accomplice".

"We have decided since the beginning of the conflict to help the victim, and we have also made it very clear that anyone helping the aggressor would be an accomplice in breach of international law," he added.

Macron addressed a gathering of the French community in Beijing, Macron said France would seek to work with China "in this shared responsibility for peace and stability" in Ukraine. 

Macron said, "China, with its close relationship with Russia, which has been reaffirmed in recent days, can play a major role".

He also weighed in on Beijing's stated opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing Ukraine war and hailed China's proposal for peace between Kyiv and Moscow. 

Macron will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday.  

As mentioned, the Ukraine war and trade ties are going to be the main agenda, but apart from that trip are also expected to discuss some other issues. Macron's adviser had earlier said was an attempt to "reset" diplomatic and economic relations with China. 

On Friday, Xi will accompany Macron on a trip to the southern port of Guangzhou, where the first French ship reached Chinese shores in the 17th century and where France opened its first consulate. 

After meeting students there, Macron will attend a dinner and tea ceremony with the Chinese leader who also has a sentimental attachment to the city as his late father, Xi Zhongxun, worked there as the provincial first secretary. 

In his first speech since arriving in China, Macron said that Beijing could play a "major role" in finding a "path to peace" in Ukraine. 

Speaking to French citizens in the Chinese capital, Macron said France would engage "in this shared responsibility for peace and stability". 

He also warned that Europe must not "separate" from China economically.  

As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Noah Barkin, an analyst with Rhodium Group, said: "It's not the time to announce business deals or big new investments. It would essentially be a vote of confidence in the Chinese economy and send the message that France is not on board with the US approach." 

Macron and US President Joe Biden agreed in a telephone call ahead of a visit to Beijing by Macron to engage China to hasten the end of the war in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said on Wednesday. 

"The two leaders have mentioned their joint willingness to engage China to accelerate the end of the war in Ukraine and take part in building sustainable peace in the region," Macron's office said in a statement. 

Russia-Ukraine war and trade ties

The visit comes against the backdrop of Beijing's peace plans to end the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. China had floated the form of a 12-point foreign ministry paper for a gradual de-escalation of the war, which has led to multiple crises globally, including food and fuel. 

Also, the Western leaders and Ukrainian allies will seek resetting ties with an important economic partner China amid an evident shift in the world order. Some reports claimed that Macron will visit China hoping to persuade Beijing to not support Russia's invasion of Ukraine apart from attempting to forge closer ties with a crucial trade partner. 

Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will land in China on Wednesday (April 5), in a rare and significant three-day state visit amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Macron and von der Leyen are also scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This will be von der Leyen's first trip since becoming European Commission president and Macron last visited China in 2019. 

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese state media said. He began a three-day visit during which he will meet his counterpart Xi Jinping.

"French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Beijing to kick off his state visit to China from April 5 to 7," state broadcaster CGTN reported.