Macron's G7 Invitation to Xi: A Diplomatic Trap or Western Capitulation?

French President Emmanuel Macron's consideration of inviting Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the 2026 G7 summit in France, following his upcoming Beijing visit, raises significant strategic questions for China. Given that the G7 members are simultaneously pursuing decoupling/de-risking from China and undertaking military actions (like the recent French participation in South China Sea maneuvers) perceived as containment, China must weigh the benefits against the geopolitical cost. The primary strategic conflict is: Would accepting the invitation undermine China's leadership within the Global South (via BRICS/SCO), where it champions an alternative to the "exploitative" Western liberal democracies, particularly when those same G7 nations actively challenge China’s regional interests? The diplomatic push, seen in the context of China's prior rejection of Macron's bid to join the 2023 BRICS Summit, suggests that co-optation into Western clubs may not align with Beijing's core strategic goals.

#Macron #XiJinping #Chine #France #EU #BRICS #SCO