Highlights: The Chinese ambassador to France is summoned by the Quai d'Orsay, after his remarks questioning the sovereignty of countries of the former USSR and the belonging of Crimea to Ukraine. Remarks that provoked an international outcry and implicitly questioned by Beijing on Monday. "China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," Mao Ning told reporters. The Global Times columnist regretted that the France does not "protect the ambassador's right of expression"

The Chinese ambassador to France is summoned by the Quai d'Orsay, after his remarks questioning the sovereignty of countries of the former USSR and the belonging of Crimea to Ukraine. Words that...

Controversial remarks by the Chinese ambassador in France: Beijing's implicit disavowal

Lu Shaye, Chinese Ambassador to France. (Illustrative photo) AFP - MARTIN BUREAU

Text by: RFI Follow

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The Chinese ambassador to France is summoned by the Quai d'Orsay, after his remarks questioning the sovereignty of countries of the former USSR and the belonging of Crimea to Ukraine. Remarks that provoked an international outcry and implicitly questioned by Beijing on Monday.

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with our correspondent in China, Stéphane Lagarde

The Chinese line has not changed since the disintegration of the USSR in 1991 and Beijing's recognition of the former socialist republic that had become independent. "China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," Mao Ning told reporters on Monday.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with relevant countries. ", adds the spokesperson of the Chinese diplomacy who ironically asks her about China's recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign state.

Alors que Pekin désavoue implicitement son ambassadeur en 🇫🇷, l'éditorialiste ⁦@HuXijin_GT⁩ le soutient avec 3 arguments: l' 🇺🇦 ne relève pas de sa compétence, les diplo s'expriment à titre personnel et la 🇫🇷 « devrait protéger le droit d'expression de l'ambassadeur » ! pic.twitter.com/o8XkYMlOXb

— Lemaitre Frederic (@LemaitreFrederi) April 24, 2023

The country you mentioned is an official member state of the UN, only sovereign states can become official members of the UN – implying Taiwan is not – which is common knowledge, "hammered the spokeswoman visibly annoyed.

Mao Ning did not directly implicate his ambassador in France, preferring to blame the international outcry over Lu Shaye's remarks on "some media outlets that have, she said, misinterpreted China's position on the Ukrainian issue and sowed discord in relations between China and relevant countries." No public disavowal, therefore, but an implicit disavowal that offends the patriotic feathers. The Global Times columnist regretted that the France does not "protect the ambassador's right of expression.

On Monday morning, the French Foreign Ministry indicated that it would receive the Chinese ambassador in France, the opportunity for "very firm clarifications" after his statements on the sovereignty of the former Soviet bloc countries, he told AFP. "A meeting between the chief of staff and the Chinese ambassador will be an opportunity for very firm clarifications," the ministry said. This interview was scheduled " before the ambassador's statements on Friday. "We will get the right messages across," he added.

► Read also: The Chinese ambassador to France creates controversy after his remarks on Ukraine and the countries of the former USSR

Controversial remarks by the Chinese ambassador in France: Beijing's implicit disavowal

Controversial remarks by the Chinese ambassador in France: Beijing's implicit disavowal

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