Macron backs China interview – French ambassador, On Wednesday, a senior diplomat said French President Emmanuel Macron is not retracting his words in China asking the E.U. to minimize dependence on the U.S.
Macron warned Politico and Les Echos against getting sucked into a Taiwan issue fueled by “American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump called him “kissing ass” to Beijing.
According to the anonymous French ambassador, Macron’s position on Taiwan and China has not altered.
“This is something the president stands by entirely,” he added in the interview.
The ambassador said Politico’s title, “Europe must resist pressure to become ‘America’s followers’,” was “sensationalist” and didn’t capture Macron’s thoughts.
The envoy claimed a French naval ship recently crossed the Taiwan Strait despite Chinese military maneuvers surrounding the island, showing that France defended international law.
China has never stopped using force to seize the democratic island.
“France respects the One China principle and the president told (Chinese President Xi Jinping) that the Taiwan question should only be resolved pacifically,” the diplomat said.
Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden agree on Taiwan. Still, Macron believed the meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California last week, before China’s exercises, was a “provocation,” the diplomat added.
“Taiwan is used to pressure China,” he continued. “No, Europe will not get dragged into that, but that doesn’t mean Europe will disengage (from the Taiwan issue).”
