Nearly 80 members of the European Parliament signed an open letter that was published in France’s Le Monde newspaper on Monday, calling on French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, to expel China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye. This comes after Colonna was criticized for her silence on comments made by Lu during a recent interview with LCI, in which he said Taiwan’s fate should be decided by Chinese people and questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet states.
The open letter called Lu’s words “a major threat against EU partner countries” and “beyond acceptable diplomatic language.” It also criticized Lu for ignoring history, culture, and basic honesty, and for questioning the sovereignty of other countries. The letter argued that sovereignty is not just a tool for diplomacy but also the foundation of international relations, as outlined in the UN Charter.
In response, Lu defended his comments, stating that he was only expressing his personal opinion and was not representing the official views of the Chinese government. He also accused the members of the European Parliament of being biased against China and not being aware of the country’s development.
This dispute between China and the EU comes amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as China’s territorial disputes with other countries in the South China Sea. It also highlights concerns among some countries about China’s growing global influence and assertiveness.
It remains to be seen whether France will take any action in response to the open letter. However, the letter will likely add to pressure from other EU countries and the United States, which have also expressed concerns about China’s actions and statements in recent months.
https://www.gnewswire.org/en/2023/04/24/eu-parliament-members-call-for-french-foreign-minister-to-expel-chinese-ambassador-20712
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