French President Emmanuel Macron says he will not join in "a verbal escalation" of the situation regarding China. "France does not support provocation, does not support fictional politics, and considers that the status quo, respect and clarity is the best ally of European strategic autonomy" he adds. The comments come at a joint press conference with Dutch Prime minister Mark Rutte in Amsterdam during a state visit to the Netherlands, the first for a French president in 23 years. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES