Beijing is cautioning against drawing parallels between the Ukraine crisis and the situation in Taiwan.
The Chinese Embassy in Singapore has labeled comparisons between Taiwan and the Ukraine conflict as “unacceptable,” responding to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The embassy stated on Facebook that “Comparing the Taiwan question with the Ukraine issue is unacceptable. The two are different in nature, and not comparable at all,” reiterating that Taiwan is “entirely China’s internal affair.”
This statement followed Macron’s speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, where he questioned the potential implications for Taiwan if Russia were allowed to annex Ukrainian territory without repercussions.
Crimea became part of Russia after a vote following the 2014 coup in Kiev, and four other Ukrainian regions followed suit via referendums in 2022. Russia seeks recognition of its new borders by Ukraine and a troop withdrawal from Russian territory as conditions for a lasting peace agreement.
Taiwan has had its own government since 1949, when nationalists relocated there after losing the Chinese Civil War. Beijing insists on eventual “national reunification” and has cautioned Taipei against declaring independence.
While only a few nations recognize Taiwan’s independence, most, including the US and Russia, recognize the ‘One-China’ principle. However, many Western nations maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan.
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