The Latest: China, France push climate-friendly finance

PARIS — The Latest on the meeting between European leaders and China’s president (all times local):

12:10 p.m.

The leaders of China and France are trying to ramp up efforts against climate change and are calling for a global rethink of investments to make them more planet-friendly.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement that contrasted with the position of U.S. President Donald Trump, who took his country out of the Paris climate accord partly because of concerns over how it threatened American business.

Xi and Macron stressed “the importance of reorienting public and private investment toward fighting climate change and protecting biodiversity,” notably in developing countries where China is a major investor.

They vowed support for the 2015 Paris agreement to reduce the emissions that cause global warming, including in the energy and refrigeration sectors.

Xi is paying a visit to Europe aimed at boosting co-operation, amid tensions with the U.S.

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9:50 a.m.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with the leaders of France, Germany and the European Commission, as European countries seek to boost relations with China while also putting pressure over its trade practices.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker came to Paris to join Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron for Tuesday’s meeting. The leaders are notably preparing for a crucial EU-China summit.

Tuesday’s meeting is a key moment in Xi’s European tour, which has involved huge business contracts, including one of the biggest deals ever for European plane maker Airbus.

Xi also received the full honours of a formal reception in the French presidential palace Monday night.

The EU is China’s biggest trade partner and wants to solidify that relationship.

The Associated Press

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