Macron’s feedback baffle a high-ranking Taiwanese official

TAIPEI (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron’s feedback on Taiwan are puzzling, a senior Taiwanese politician mentioned, questioning if France’s founding beliefs of liberty, equality and fraternity had been now outdated.

Macron, in remarks in an interview throughout a visit to China that was supposed to indicate European unity on China coverage, warned towards being drawn right into a disaster over Taiwan pushed by “the American rhythm and the Chinese language overreaction.”

He additionally referred to as on the European Union to scale back its dependence on the US and to develop into a “third pole” in international affairs alongside Washington and Beijing.

Taiwanese Parliament Speaker Yu Si-kun, writing on Fb late Tuesday above a screenshot of a report on Macron’s feedback on Taiwan, questioned France’s dedication to freedom.

Referring to the official French motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” he wrote: “Is ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ out of date?

“Is it okay to disregard this as soon as it turns into a part of the structure? Or can superior democracies ignore the life and loss of life of individuals in different nations?” Added you, one of many founders of the ruling Democratic Progressive Social gathering in Taiwan. “The actions of President Macron, a number one worldwide democracy, go away me at a loss.”

China has been conducting navy workouts round Taiwan since Saturday after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned from a visit to the US, the place she met with Speaker of the US Home of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.

France, like most nations, doesn’t have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims, however maintains a de facto embassy in Taipei and has joined different US allies in stressing the necessity for peace within the Taiwan Strait.

On Tuesday, Taiwan’s international ministry sought to downplay Macron’s remarks, though it mentioned it had “famous” what he mentioned.

“The State Division expresses its because of France for expressing its concern about peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait many occasions and in many various worldwide boards,” together with, for instance, on the current Franco-British leaders’ summit, State Division spokesman Jeff Liu advised reporters. This can be a continuation of France’s agency stance and stance.”

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard). Modifying by Jerry Doyle

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