On Wednesday (Apr 12), President Emmanuel Macron stated that France still holds the same position on Taiwan, and he personally supports maintaining the current “status quo” regarding the island.
This clarification comes in response to criticism from some politicians and commentators in Europe and the United States after an interview with Politico and Les Echos, published on Sunday, in which Macron warned against being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan by an “American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction”.
Former US President Donald Trump even accused him of “kissing ass” to Beijing.
During a state visit in the Netherlands, Macron emphasized that the French and European position on Taiwan has not changed, and they continue to support the status quo.
It’s the One-China policy and a Pacific resolution of the situation.”I said that to Xi Jinping in our one-to-one meeting, and that’s what we’ve been saying everywhere. We haven’t changed,” he stated.
Taiwan
Macron did not mention Taiwan in his public statement to the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last week, an omission that commentators criticised.
The French leader also said he shared a vision of an “open Indo-Pacific region” with US President Joe Biden, even if they each had their own approach to China.
“I can tell you he wants to avoid any escalation in spite of the current tension,” Macron said.
Macron added that a French military ship had gone through the Taiwan Strait in recent days despite Chinese military exercises around the island and demonstrated France’s robust engagement in the region.
China has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control.
“So no, France does not support provocations, does not engage in fantasy politics and considers the status quo, respect and clarity are the best allies of European strategic autonomy,” Macron said.
In his interview over the weekend, the French leader appeared to stand by his remarks, stating that Europe should not follow either Washington or Beijing, nor become embroiled in any escalation.
“Being an ally does not mean being a vassal … doesn’t mean that we don’t have the right to think for ourselves,” he said at Wednesday’s news conference in the Netherlands.