Xi сommits $100 million for Gaza relief during summit with Macron

China will provide $100 million in aid to the Palestinians to help address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support reconstruction efforts, President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday, December 4.

Xi made the announcement during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following their meeting in Beijing.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including economic ties, trade tensions, Taiwan, and the war in Ukraine. The meeting forms part of Macron’s three-day state visit to China, which concludes in the southwestern Sichuan province. While both leaders have demonstrated a strong personal rapport through reciprocal visits in recent years, several contentious political issues remain unresolved.

One of Macron’s priorities, which he plans to highlight at next year’s G-7 summit in France, is addressing “global trade imbalances.” According to the French treasury, France’s trade deficit with China reached approximately €47 billion ($55 billion) in 2024. Macron aims to attract more Chinese investment to France, which exports key sectors such as aeronautics and luxury goods.

Bilateral tensions increased last year after Paris supported the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. In response, Beijing introduced minimum price requirements for French cognac exporters, raising concerns among French pork and dairy producers about potential additional measures.

China, in turn, has sought French support—France being one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—in its dispute with Japan over Taiwan.

Tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that a conflict over Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival. On the eve of the Macron-Xi meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, that as World War II victors, China and France must prevent Japan from “stirring up troubles” over Taiwan or repeating historical mistakes.

By Tamilla Hasanova