中国はロシアに「明確なメッセージを」 ウクライナ紛争めぐり 仏外相

【北京ＡＦＰ＝時事】フランスのステファヌ・セジュルネ外相は１日、中国・北京で会談した王毅共産党政治局員兼外相と共同記者会見に臨み、ウクライナ侵攻を続けるロシアに対し、緊密な関係にある中国が「明確なメッセージ」を送ることを望んでいるとの仏政府の見解を表明した。（写真は北京で王毅外相〈画面外〉と共同記者会見に臨むフランスのステファヌ・セジュルネ外相）
　セジュルネ氏は、「ウクライナとの交渉が行われなければ、永続的な平和は実現しない」「国際法にのっとった平和がなければ、欧州の安全保障も実現し得ない」と述べた。
　さらに、「中国からのデカップリング（経済の切り離し）」は望ましくないと改めて強調した上で、「健全で持続可能な」貿易を確保するためには「経済の再均衡化」が必要だと訴えた。
　フランスと中国は近年、関係強化を図っている。王氏は２月にパリでエマニュエル・マクロン大統領と会談した際、中国はフランスの「独立した」外交政策を高く評価しているとの考えを示した。
　一方のマクロン氏は中国に迎合していると非難された。特に台湾情勢については、欧州は米中いずれにも追随すべきではないと発言し、物議を醸した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/04/01-19:02）

France's top diplomat said on Monday that Paris wants China to send clear messages to its strategic ally Russia over its war in Ukraine, after meetings with his counterpart in Beijing.
France and China have sought to strengthen ties in recent years and, during meetings in Paris in February, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing appreciated his country's independent stance.
But Paris has also sought to press Beijing on its ties with Moscow, which have only grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.
While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive.
Paris has, in contrast, become one of Kyiv's firmest backers, with Macron in February even refusing to rule out putting troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said Monday that Beijing plays a key role in... the respect of international law, including on Ukraine's sovereignty, and therefore we are clearly expecting that China will send very clear messages to Russia.
We are convinced that there will be no lasting peace if it is not negotiated with the Ukrainians, he told a press conference in Beijing, speaking alongside his Chinese counterpart Wang.
There will be no security for Europeans if there is no peace in accordance with international law, he continued.
It is an essential issue for us, which is why France is determined to maintain a close dialogue with China, he said.
- 'Closeness' -
Sejourne's visit is the second to China by a French foreign minister in less than six months, following a trip by his predecessor Catherine Colonna in November.
On Monday afternoon he met with Premier Li Qiang at Beijing's opulent Great Hall of the People, telling China's number two official he wanted to discuss global situations that are fracturing and dividing the world today.
I am thinking of the situation in the Middle East, but also in Ukraine, he said.
Li said he was very happy to welcome the minister to Beijing.
Our two countries have a long history and splendid civilisations, Li said, hailing their shared spirit of independence and autonomy.
This explains why China and France have a natural sense of closeness, he said.
Macron also visited last April, receiving a rock star welcome at a university in southern China from hundreds of screaming students and fans.
But he faced accusations of cosying up to Beijing and sparked controversy by saying Europe shouldn't be a follower of the United States in the event of conflict with China over Taiwan.
His foreign minister's visit this week comes as part of events marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China.
Sejourne will later in the day take part in the launch of the Versailles and the Forbidden City exhibition, where around 60 works of art and valuables from the palace can be viewed by the public until the end of June.
- 'Derisking' not 'decoupling' -
France's efforts to improve ties with Beijing come as the EU seeks to shield itself from excessive reliance on China.
That derisking has emerged in recent months as a core pillar of the European bloc's economic policy towards China, spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The term contrasts with the more drastic approach known as decoupling -- pursued by some policymakers in the United States who aim to isolate China or cut all commercial ties with the country.
The EU increasingly views China as a partner, but also as an economic competitor and systemic rival, a report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said last month.
In Beijing on Monday, Sejourne said decoupling was not on the cards.
But, he said, an economic rebalancing was needed to ensure trade was healthy and sustainable.
Foreign Minister Wang, in turn, said he appreciates Sejourne's rejection of decoupling.
It is not possible to decouple from China, and decoupling from China is the biggest risk, Wang said.
I believe that it has been proved, and will continue to prove, that China is an opportunity and not a risk for Europe. Both sides are partners and not rivals.