China Tries to Limit Damage From Diplomat’s Comments That Riled Europe

NYT WORLD: China Tries to Limit Damage From Diplomat’s Comments That Riled Europe
By Steven Erlanger
Section: World
Source: New York Times
Published Date: April 24, 2023 at 03:00AM

Remarks by China’s ambassador to France questioning the sovereignty of ex-Soviet states threatened to upset China’s efforts to balance courting Europe with supporting Russia.

France summoned the Chinese ambassador to Paris, Lu Shaye, on Monday to explain his controversial remarks on French television questioning the sovereignty of post-Soviet nations. The Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, said that they would also send for China’s envoys to the three countries to discuss the matter.
China’s Foreign Ministry tried to repair the damage on Monday, insisting that it recognized the sovereignty of all the former Soviet republics that have declared independence, including Ukraine.
“China respects the sovereign status of former Soviet republics after the Soviet Union’s dissolution,” said the ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, speaking at a news briefing in Beijing. Asked if Mr. Lu’s comments on Friday represented official policy, Ms. Mao responded: “I can tell you what I stated just now represents the official position of the Chinese government.”
She added: “China’s stance on the relevant issues hasn’t changed,” and noted that China was one of the first countries to establish relations with all the “relevant countries” after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Read More at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/world/europe/china-ambassador-soviet-states.html