Macron Wraps Up China Visit, but Little Progress Seen on War

President Emmanuel Macron of France concluded a three-day visit to China on Friday, with the two countries having discussed everything from the study of lunar samples to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

But their joint statement on the talks said little about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite Mr. Macron’s efforts to persuade China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to do more to help end the war.

Mr. Xi’s meetings with Mr. Macron, which included a private dinner and a rare meeting outside Beijing, are part of China’s efforts to strengthen its ties with Europe as its relations deteriorate sharply with the United States.

To the frustration of European and American leaders, China has not condemned Russia’s invasion and has instead preserved its close ties to Moscow, where Mr. Xi was welcomed warmly on a trip last month. The joint statement released on Friday avoided mention of Russia in several places, suggesting that China had not changed its stance on the war.