French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine and tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall on Thursday.

For Macron, making his fourth visit to China while in office, the three-day trip is an opportunity to shore up support for a ceasefire in Europe's deadliest conflict since WWII, as well as to attract more Chinese investment in France.

The country's trade deficit with the world's second-largest economy grew to 46 billion euros ($54 billion) in 2024.

Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan gave Macron and his wife Brigitte a grand, red-carpet welcome to the Chinese capital, complete with an honour guard and row of flag-waving children.

All smiles as he entered the cavernous hall, Macron blew kisses to the crowd while a band pla

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