Macron gave a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, where he rejected those who framed the conflict as purely European concerns. “If you think that Russia could be allowed to take away some of Ukrainian territory without restrictions… what will happen in Taiwan?” he said.
“Comparing Taiwanese questions with Ukraine’s issues is unacceptable. The two are essentially different and are not comparable at all,” the embassy told Facebook on Saturday, reiterating that Taiwan’s issues are “completely internal to China.”
Crimea voted to join Russia shortly after the US-backed coup in Kiev in 2014 and four other former Ukrainian regions held the same referendum in 2022. Moscow demanded that for a viable peace deal, it must recognize Russia’s new borders and withdraw its troops from Russian territory.
Taiwan has a different government since 1949 when nationalists retreated to the island after losing their war with the communists in mainland China. Beijing has argued that it will achieve “national unity” and warns Taipei authorities to formally declare independence.
Only a handful of countries recognize Taiwan as an independent country, and most states, including the US and Russia, adhere to the “Wancina” principles. Nevertheless, several Western countries maintain informal ties with Taiwan.
MNA/