China has reacted strongly to statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, who warned of global consequences if Russian aggression in Ukraine is tolerated, comparing it to the threats faced by Taiwan.
In a statement published by the Chinese Embassy in Singapore on May 31, Beijing emphasized that “the Taiwan issue is completely different in nature and in no way comparable to that of Ukraine.”
“The comparison of the Taiwan issue with that of Ukraine is unacceptable,” said the embassy’s reaction, which came a day after Macron’s speech at the Shangri-La Security Forum in Singapore. In his remarks, Macron urged Asian countries not to view Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a distant conflict.
“If we believe that Russia can take a part of Ukraine’s territory without punishment and without any reaction from the international order, then what will happen in Taiwan?” Macron stated, adding: “What would you do if something happened tomorrow in the Philippines?”
The Chinese Embassy reiterated Beijing’s official position, stressing that “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory, and its issue is a domestic matter.”
Meanwhile, during the forum, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth raised concerns about China’s military ambitions, stating that Beijing “is preparing” to use force to shift the balance of power in Asia and is building military capabilities to invade Taiwan.
The diplomatic clash comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, where Taiwan continues to be one of the most sensitive flashpoints of international rivalry.
