French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping published a joint statement following negotiations in Guangzhou, condemning nuclear escalation and calling for restoration of peace in Ukraine.

Macron and Xi emphasise their role as permanent members of the UN Security Council and their commitment to resolving differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation.

France and China agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation to jointly preserve the authority and effectiveness of the arms control and non-proliferation regime, as well as to advance the international arms control process.

Both sides support all efforts to restore peace in Ukraine based on international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

They oppose armed attacks on nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities.

Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping discussed Russia's war against Ukraine and agreed that nuclear weapons should be excluded from this conflict.

Macron stated that a reliable security architecture in Europe is impossible as long as part of Ukraine is occupied.

Xi Jinping said China wants to avoid escalation in Ukraine and called for the earliest possible start of peace talks.

The French president's office described the meeting between the two leaders as 'friendly and constructive'.

Macron expressed the hope that Xi Jinping will be able to influence Russia and bring it back to the negotiating table.