China has faced criticism from European countries over comments made by its ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, that questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet states. The French foreign ministry said Lu would receive "a stern rebuke", while Germany called for clarification from Beijing. The remarks, which also prompted Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia to summon China's envoys, focused on the status of the independent nations that emerged from the fall of the USSR. Lu had said that they "don't have effective status under international law because there is not an international agreement confirming their status as sovereign nations". China sought to calm the situation by saying Lu's comments were his personal views, but some have criticised the ambassador, who previously suggested Taiwanese people would need to be "re-educated" after a Chinese takeover of the self-ruled island.
The incident has highlighted the EU's ongoing struggle to find a unified approach to China. Some European leaders have sought to improve ties with Beijing, while others have taken a more hawkish stance. French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, has urged Europe to avoid becoming embroiled in a US-China conflict and has shown support for China's involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In contrast, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has taken a more confrontational approach.
The EU has described China as a "partner", "economic competitor", and "systemic rival", but different member states have different priorities. China has sought to build closer ties with the EU, which is an important trading partner for Beijing as it seeks to reinvigorate its economy following the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there are concerns that the EU needs to find a unified approach to China or risk being "eaten for lunch".
The incident has also raised questions about China's increasingly assertive diplomacy. Lu is part of a group of Chinese diplomats nicknamed "wolf warriors", who respond vehemently to perceived criticism of China. Some analysts have criticised his comments as "totally stupid" and "staggeringly incompetent". However, China's envoy to the EU, Fu Cong, has sought to reassure Europe, saying that China's cooperation with the continent is "endless" and that its ties with Russia are "unlimited".
The incident highlights the complexity of relations between China and the EU, which are likely to be a key issue in the coming years. EU leaders are expected to discuss China policy in June, while foreign ministers discussed Lu's comments during scheduled talks on China. While it remains to be seen how the EU will respond to China's comments, it is clear that the incident has raised tensions between Beijing and Brussels.
