Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron of France is on his way to China.

The French president, who drew criticism from Western allies last year for calling on Russia not to “humiliate” itself in the midst of its conflict with Ukraine, faces a delicate balancing act in Beijing.

In addition to a meeting and a state dinner with Xi Jinping in the presence of von der Leyen, Macron will meet with the head of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji, and China’s new No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, on Thursday.