On the menu ? The fight against pandemics and global upheavals triggered by the war in Ukraine. The 21 leaders of the countries of the forum for economic cooperation for Asia-Pacific (Apec) have an appointment in Bangkok on Thursday and Friday. Among them, French President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, as guests. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected this Thursday in Bangkok, a few days after a historic face to face with Joe Biden in Bali.
During their meeting on Monday, the two leaders sought to ease the high tensions between the two countries even if many points of contention remain. This conciliatory tone between the two men is likely to reassure APEC members, who are increasingly worried about having to take sides between the two largest economies in the world.
Reviving France’s ambitions in Asia-Pacific
The Apec summit is the last meeting of an intense fortnight from the diplomatic point of view in Asia, after the G20 in Bali and a meeting of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. East (Asean) in Phnom Penh last week.
Parallel to the main summit, Xi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the Chinese president’s first meeting with a Japanese leader since 2019. As for Emmanuel Macron, he will try during this two-day meeting to revive ambitions France’s strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific, undermined by the crisis with Australia over a mega-submarine contract in 2021.