The Chinese Embassy in France said that the statement of the Chinese ambassador in Paris, Lu Shae, that Crimea was Russian historically is an expression of his personal opinion. The diplomatic mission stressed that such statements should not become "the subject of speculation" The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared respect for the sovereignty of all states that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014: the majority of residents voted in favor of reunification with Russia.