Macron arrives in China hoping to talk Xi into changing stance on Ukraine

French leader sees Beijing as possible gamechanger' and will also discuss European trade on three-day visit

Emmanuel Macron has arrived in China for a three-day state visit during which he hopes to dissuade Xi Jinping from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine while also developing European trade ties with Beijing.

Shortly after arriving in the Chinese capital, Macron said he wanted to push back against the idea that there was an inescapable spiral of mounting tensions" between China and the west.