Macron visit a test of the EU's strategic autonomy from Washington

French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting China with a delegation of about 50 corporate CEOs to boost bilateral investment and trade ties. He also hopes that China can "play a major role" in bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Unlike some European states which blindly follow the United States, France is known for its more independent foreign policy, as in the case of its opposition to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Compared to the US, NATO and EU leaders, Macron has spoken more positively of China's 12-point position document to end the Ukraine crisis and said on Wednesday that it shows China wants to "build a pathway toward peace".