BEIJING, Dec 4 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, seeking stronger commercial ties, as the European Union prepares to toughen up its trade rules. A large business delegation is accompanying Macron on his fourth state visit to the world's second-largest economy.

During a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, French President Emmanuel Macron called for support for the initiative to impose a moratorium on

During a state visit, the French president urged President Xi Jinping to take a harsher stance on Russia and smooth out trade imbalances. Despite signing 12 agreements, Xi’s remained noncommittal on these larger questions.

Macron met with Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, where he expressed hope that Beijing “will join our call and our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure.”

French president expresses keenness to work with Beijing on 'these major challenges' during his 4th state visit to China - Anadolu Ajansı

French President Emmanuel Macron's three-day China visit brings top ministers and CEOs as France pushes for progress on energy, trade, agriculture and panda diplomacy

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China this week for his fourth state visit, as Europe seeks to balance economic and security threats from Beijing with reliance on the world's second-largest economy during a time of global trade turmoil.

France hopes to establish a framework for ties between Brussels and Beijing "that serves mutual interests" when President Emmanuel Macron visits China next week, an Elysee Palace source said. "The purpose of [Macron's] strategic conversation with President Xi Jinping is for Europe to be respected as a major partner of China and not as a variable in tensions,