On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron and EU head Ursula von der Leyen began a series of meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing that might change the bloc’s relations with China after years of tension.

Before talks with President Xi Jinping later in the day, newly appointed Premier Li Qiang received Macron at the Great Hall of the People, a massive edifice west of Tiananmen Square used for ceremonies.

I then met von der Leyen, who said Europe must “de-risk” politically and economically with a hardening China before her first trip to China as European Commission president in 2019.

“Both Europe and China have profited greatly from this connection, but, EU-China ties have become more complicated in recent years and it is crucial that we examine together all elements of our relations today,” von der Leyen said before meeting Li.

Li said the EU-France collaboration was “a fresh beginning point” and should be based on “mutual respect and win-win cooperation.”

China’s unwillingness to denounce Russia’s Ukrainian incursion, Xinjiang rights violations, a blocked investment treaty, and COVID-19 transparency have damaged Europe’s ties with China.

After arriving late Wednesday, Macron said Europe must avoid diminishing commercial and diplomatic ties with China and oppose the “inescapable spiral” of hostility between China and the West.

China wants to prevent Europe from following U.S.-led attempts to curb its ascent and repair relations with France.

“Macron’s visit is expected to create concrete results in increasing economic and commercial cooperation between China and France, as well as to improve political mutual confidence,” the official media outlet Global Times stated in an editorial.

“Many powers in Europe and the U.S. are paying careful attention to Macron’s visit and exerting influence in diverse ways,” the Global Times said. Hence, not everyone wants Macron’s China visit to go well.

Macron and von der Leyen want China to utilize its influence over Russia to bring peace to Ukraine or discourage Beijing from explicitly helping Moscow.

Russia declares Ukraine’s invasion a “special military operation.”

According to the Elysee Palace, Macron discussed the conflict and French firms’ access to Chinese markets with Xi.

According to some observers, Macron may promote a “reset” in China-EU relations while von der Leyen presses the tougher problems and red lines.

Macron is scheduled to unveil Chinese deals with a 50-strong corporate delegation, including Airbus (AIR.PA), LVMH, and EDF.

While the French business sector has applauded Macron’s overtures to China, not everyone at home believes that’s a positive signal.

“Three-quarters of the group are corporate leaders: the purpose is first and foremost to sign contracts,” tweeted left-wing European parliament member Raphael Glucksmann before Macron’s arrival.

“The message is untimely as Europe debates our deadly dependent on China and Chinese intervention.”