The Chinese language authorities says it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet Union republics after Beijing’s ambassador to France prompted an uproar in Europe by saying they aren’t sovereign nations
BEIJING — The Chinese language authorities mentioned Monday it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet Union republics after Beijing’s ambassador to France prompted an uproar in Europe by saying they aren’t sovereign nations.
The governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania rejected Ambassador Lu Shaye’s remark to a French broadcaster. Whereas answering a query in regards to the standing of Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, Lu mentioned there was no settlement to “solidify their standing as a sovereign nation.”
Beijing declared it had a “no-limits friendship” with Moscow earlier than its 2022 invasion of Ukraine however has tried to look impartial, calling for a cease-fire and peace talks. China has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.
“China respects the sovereign standing of the previous soviet international locations after the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” mentioned overseas ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Mao mentioned Beijing’s place is “constant and clear” however gave no indication whether or not Lu’s remark was thought-about incorrect.
The ambassador drew a parallel with the Baltic nations and different former soviet republics that declared independence from Moscow when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991.
“With reference to worldwide regulation, even these ex-Soviet Union international locations, they don’t, they don’t have the standing — how one can say it? — that’s efficient in worldwide regulation, as a result of there isn’t a worldwide settlement to solidify their standing as a sovereign nation,” Lu advised information channel LCI.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned he doesn’t acknowledge Ukraine’s sovereignty. The Kremlin has made clear that it sees the independence of the Baltic States and their function in NATO and the European Union as threats to Russian safety.
Chinese language President Xi Jinping’s authorities sees Moscow as a associate in opposing U.S. domination of world affairs.
Beijing has mentioned it needs to behave as a peace mediator, however governments together with the US say a cease-fire would legitimize Putin’s territorial positive factors.
“If anybody remains to be questioning why the Baltic States don’t belief China to ‘dealer peace in Ukraine,’ right here’s a Chinese language ambassador arguing that Crimea is Russian and our international locations’ borders haven’t any authorized foundation,” Lithuanian Overseas Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis mentioned on Twitter.
The French overseas ministry famous that governments together with China acknowledged Ukraine’s borders, together with Crimea, when it declared independence in 1991.
