Observers believe he knows he is unlikely to come back from this China trip with any major diplomatic achievement to boast of. The chances of Mr Xi changing his views on Russia and Ukraine in any significant way are, to say the least, small.
Mr Macron is likely to emphasise small advances, points in common, and the benefits of engagement through trade and talks.
He is said to believe that just because France is part of the Western alliance, and close to the US does not mean it cannot deepen its relations with China which is allied to Russia.
Mr Macron's trip saw several significant deals signed by French and Chinese corporations and cultural institutions, witnessed by him and Mr Xi.
He is travelling with a delegation comprising business leaders, artists and museum officials. They include top executives from plane manufacturer Airbus, luxury group LVMH, and nuclear energy producer EDF.
The trip to Beijing, four years after Mr Macron last paid a visit to Mr Xi, takes place during strikes and unrest in France over unpopular reforms of the pension system.