A French senator has slammed Chinese envoy Lu Shaye for pressuring French lawmakers not to visit Taiwan. When he was questioning French officials on Wednesday, Senator Olivier Cadic said he supported their decision to summon the China ambassador for threatening and insulting French nationals. Cadic also expressed his support for Taiwan, in remarks that were applauded by the senate assembly.
Olivier Cadic, French senator: Everyone can see Beijing’s acquiescence in Taiwan’s territorial sovereignty. Nothing should hinder Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and Interpol. The French authorities’ resolute action is correct. France and the Senate will not accept the instructions of the Chinese Communist Party.
Franck Riester, French foreign trade minister: With regard to the Chinese ambassador, I was deeply shocked by his recent words and deeds. I want to emphasize that it is obvious that French parliamentarians can freely decide their own business trip plans. Publicly creating controversy, or targeting our elites, academic institutions, scholars, the media, and even the entire citizenry with intimidation attempts, insults and slanders is intolerable to France.
Earlier this week, the EU, U.S., U.K., and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Xinjiiang. On Wednesday, France’s foreign trade minister said it was the EU’s first sanctions on China in 30 years. He emphasized that it was an historic, legitimate and necessary decision. China had retaliated almost immediately against the EU, placing sanctions on 10 members of the European Parliament.
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