BEIJING, Dec 4 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, seeking stronger commercial ties, as the European Union prepares to toughen up its trade rules. A large business delegation is accompanying Macron on his fourth state visit to the world's second-largest economy.

A summit between the president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping marks renewed engagement in a long-term superpower rivalry. China’s president wants the U.S. to oppose the democratic island’s independence. As the president goes to Asia, some of the region’s countries fear a “grand bargain” with China on economic issues could sideline security.

The person who came up with the G-2 idea back in 2005, the American economist C. Fred Bergsten — an assistant to Henry Kissinger when he was US National Security Adviser — said he never saw it replacing the Group of 20 or organizations like the IMF. Instead, he envisioned it as useful for mostly handling economic issues.

China will provide $100 million in aid to the Palestinians to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support reconstruction efforts, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Japan, a U.S. ally that had angered China on Taiwan, found the message worrying.

The Trump-Xi detente is providing US allies with a fleeting window to make good with Beijing, and some are seizing the moment.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron appealed to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine and to tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is relieving Smokey XI of his mascot duties after three short years due to a "reserved temperament" that has made the bluetick coonhound uncomfortable appearing in public.

Man Utd predicted lineup takes shape for West Ham testManchester United’s predicted lineup against West Ham continues to evolve as Ruben Amorim weighs returning fitness against recent attacking