Paris – December 6, 2025 – France and China concluded President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit on Friday with a strong joint statement that calls for the creation of “favorable conditions” for the effective implementation of the two-state solution in Gaza and urges all parties to honour the recent ceasefire.
The official declaration released by the French Presidency states:
“France and China reaffirm that favorable conditions must be created for the effective implementation of the two-State solution, which is the only credible way to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples for a just and lasting peace and security.”
It explicitly condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, calls on every side to “immediately honor their commitments” under the October 10 ceasefire, and demands “large-scale humanitarian assistance under the United Nations’ supervision” that is delivered “rapidly, safely, sustainably and without impediment throughout the Gaza Strip.”
The two countries also reiterated their support for “all efforts to reach a ceasefire” in Ukraine, echoing language used in earlier joint statements.
Deepened Nuclear Cooperation
- In a separate statement, Paris and Beijing welcomed a new agreement to expand cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The text commits both nations to:
- strengthen exchanges of experience and technical cooperation on nuclear safety and security,
- ensure the safe, reliable and sustainable management, treatment and storage of spent fuel and radioactive waste,
- deepen collaboration on nuclear fuel supply, equipment manufacturing and uranium resource security,
- continue joint work on third-generation pressurized water reactors, plant life extension, decommissioning, radioactive waste management and technological innovation.
Both sides reaffirmed their attachment to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and underlined the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
Context and Significance
Macron’s visit — his first to China since April 2023 — was marked by unusually warm symbolism, including President Xi Jinping personally accompanying the French leader to Sichuan province for cultural events and a private dinner. The trip produced a series of commercial agreements worth an estimated €20 billion, covering aviation, agri-food, artificial intelligence and green technology.
For France, the joint statements represent a diplomatic success in two of its top foreign-policy priorities: maintaining pressure for a viable two-state solution after the devastating 2023–2025 Gaza war, and trying to enlist China’s influence to help bring an end to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Beijing, which has traditionally positioned itself as a neutral actor in both conflicts while cultivating ties with the Global South, used the occasion to underline its willingness to play a constructive role without abandoning its core principles of non-interference and respect for sovereignty.
While the declarations contain no new concrete enforcement mechanisms, diplomats on both sides described them as the strongest common language Paris and Beijing have ever used on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the clearest public alignment on the need for a Ukraine ceasefire.
As Macron returned to Paris late Friday, the Élysée portrayed the visit as proof that France can maintain open channels with all major powers — including those with very different worldviews — in order to advance peace and tackle global challenges such as climate change and nuclear safety.
