Macron said he wanted to build a fairer, more balanced multilateral trade framework with China following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris on Tuesday.

"We must show through actions that cooperation brings more than confrontation and that we have more to win through openness than through closing doors," Macron said.

The French leader has sought to forge a united European front to confront Chinese advances in trade and technology and foster a more balanced relationship with Beijing.

Xi sought to reassure Macron, saying cooperation was the main trend in the Sino-European relationship, even if the two sides had their differences and there was competition between the two.

"Cooperation is greater than competition. We should increase the positive energy," Xi said.

"We are working side by side and helping each other, and we shouldn't be always worried about watching our back with suspicion while moving forward."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who attended the talks along with and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Europe wanted to play an active part in China's Belt and Road initiative, but that it must lead to more trade reciprocity.

Australian Associated Press