Xi said the world had entered a period of 'turbulence and change', adding that Europe and China needed to seek cooperation and communication

French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris on Monday to ensure more balanced trade with Europe, at a start of a two-day visit during which Macron also pressed him on Ukraine.

France is the first stop on a European trip by Xi aimed at rebuilding relations at a time of global tensions. After France, the Chinese leader will head to Serbia and Hungary.

Chinese premier arrives in Paris for talks with French leader and Ursula von der Leyen, with trade and Ukraine on agenda

By Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen were set to press China's President Xi Jinping on Monday to reduce trade imbalances and use his influence on Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Chinese premier to meet Macron and Von der Leyen who will urge him to reduce trade imbalances and use his influence with Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron was on Monday set to warn Chinese leader Xi Jinping against backing Russia in the conflict over Ukraine but also seek to enlist his help in finding an end to the war.

France is backing a European Union probe into Chinese electric vehicle exports and in January Beijing opened an investigation into imports of brandy - which is mostly made in France - a move widely seen as tit-for-tat retaliation amid a growing set of EU probes.