China says diplomat’s remarks on sovereignty of ex-Soviet states isn't Beijing's position

The Chinese embassy in Paris issued a statement on Monday, April 24.

“Ambassador Lu Shaye's remarks on Ukraine were not a political statement, but an expression of personal views during a TV debate. They should not be interpreted excessively. China's position on the relevant issues has not changed,” the statement says. 

China emphasizes that it supports the sovereignty of all countries and adheres to the UN Charter. The PRC also emphasizes that it was one of the first countries to cooperate with post-Soviet countries after the collapse of the USSR.

“The Chinese side respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and upholds the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with these countries. And China has always worked to develop bilateral friendly and cooperative relations with them based on the principles of mutual respect and equality. The Chinese side respects the status of the sovereign countries that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union,” the message says. 

The embassy reminded that China is "ready to continue working with the international community" to make its own contribution to a political settlement of the war in Ukraine.

• On April 22, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would summon the Chinese ambassador amid statements by another Chinese diplomat about the sovereignty of post-Soviet countries.

• On April 23,  France declared its 'full solidarity' with the sovereignty of the former Soviet republics after the Chinese ambassador’s remarks.

• Advisor to the Ukrainian Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized that all post-Soviet countries, except Russia, have a clear sovereign status.

• The Chinese embassy in France has removed the transcript of an interview with Lu Shaye, who questioned the sovereignty of the republics that were part of the Soviet Union.