Macron Calls on Chinese Firms to Boost Investment and Share Tech Expertise as Europe Seeks to Close Innovation Gap
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Chinese companies to increase investment in France and across the European Union, highlighting the need for deeper cooperation in advanced industries as Europe faces a widening technological gap with China. His remarks came during his visit to Beijing, where he participated in a French-Chinese Business Council meeting alongside President Xi Jinping.
Speaking to business leaders, Macron said Europe must strengthen its industrial base and move beyond a reliance on traditional trade patterns. He noted that China once exported mainly low cost goods to Europe, but over the past decade it has become a global leader in high tech sectors such as electric vehicles, solar panels and advanced batteries. Macron acknowledged that Europe now depends on Chinese innovation in many of these fields and said deeper collaboration is essential for ensuring long term economic resilience.
The French president emphasized that France wants to attract more Chinese investment, particularly in sectors that support re-industrialization efforts and green transformation goals. He said mutually beneficial projects would allow both sides to break out of what he described as a cycle of dependence and imbalance. By bringing Chinese expertise into Europe’s industrial landscape, Macron argued that both markets can grow more competitive and more sustainable.
Macron pointed out that China holds clear technological advantages in key industries shaping the global future. Electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, for instance, have seen rapid innovation from Chinese companies, now dominant players in global supply chains. He encouraged Chinese firms to contribute not only capital but also research capacity, manufacturing knowledge, and clean energy solutions that Europe needs to accelerate its transition.
At the same time Macron stressed that such cooperation should work in both directions. Europe, he said, remains a hub for design, scientific research and advanced engineering. Stronger partnerships between European and Chinese firms could foster innovation benefiting both economies. He framed the moment as an opportunity to build a more balanced and stable relationship, one grounded in joint development rather than one sided dependency.
His remarks come amid broader concerns across Europe about competitiveness in high tech industries. Policymakers worry that without significant investment and industrial revival Europe could fall behind in strategic sectors that will define global leadership over the next generation. Macron’s message reflects a push to position France and the EU as active participants in emerging industries rather than passive buyers of foreign technology.
Chinese companies have shown growing interest in Europe, particularly in clean energy and automotive manufacturing. Analysts note that projects involving Chinese investment have the potential to create jobs, enhance industrial capabilities and contribute to Europe’s climate ambitions. However such partnerships also come with political sensitivities, as European leaders navigate pressure to safeguard strategic autonomy while maintaining open economic ties.
For Macron the priority is clear. He wants cooperation that accelerates Europe’s technological progress while supporting sustainable economic development. His call in Beijing underscores his belief that French Chinese business relations can evolve into a model of balanced partnership, where investment and innovation flow in both directions.
