What’s new: Beijing affirmed that it respects the sovereignty of former republics of the Soviet Union after China’s envoy in France made controversial remarks about the sovereign status of the countries.
“The fact that the Soviet Union was a federal state that acted as a whole externally… does not deny that the participating republics have the status of sovereign states after the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” Mao Ning, foreign ministry spokesperson, said during a press briefing Monday in response to a reporter’s question.
Mao also reiterated that Beijing’s position on the Ukraine issue remains “objective and impartial,” adding China is willing to work together with the international community to promote a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.
The background: In an interview with French media LCI on Friday, China’s Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said former republics of the Soviet Union “have no effective status” under international law because there was “no international accord to solidify their status as a sovereign country.”
Lu made the comments when asked about the status of Crimea, according to a transcript of the interview published on the Chinese Embassy in France’s WeChat account, which has now been deleted.
“It depends on how one looks at the issue. Historically, Crimea was part of Russia in the beginning. During the period of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine,” Lu said.
Lu’s statements have drawn criticism in Europe, with France, Ukraine and several Baltic states expressing dismay, according to Reuters.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
