Chinese diplomat suggests Baltic states never gained independence from Russia

Baltic states have demanded China explain itself after one of Beijing’s top European diplomats suggested that former Eastern Bloc countries had not gained sovereign status after leaving the former Soviet Union.

Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France, told a French TV station that ex-Soviet republics had no “effective status” in international law, seemingly brushing aside the Baltic states’ internationally recognised sovereignty after the Soviet Union’s dissolution.

Mr Lu made the comments in an interview broadcast Friday by TF1, in which he was asked whether he considered the peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, as belonging to Ukraine under international law.

“Even these ex-Soviet Union countries do not have effective status under international law because there’s no international accord to materialise their status as a sovereign country,” Mr Lu said.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as France demanded answers from Beijing over Mr Lu’s comments.

The three Baltic states will each summon the top Chinese diplomat in their respective capital, said Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian foreign minister.

Diplomat summoned to explain

“Taking into account the unacceptable statements of the Chinese ambassador in France about international law and national sovereignty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has summoned the authorised chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Riga to provide explanations on Monday. This step is coordinated with Lithuania and Estonia,” Mr Rinkevics wrote on Twitter.

France’s foreign ministry added it took note “with consternation” of Mr Lu’s remarks and said it was Beijing’s responsibility “to say if these comments reflect its position, which we hope not to be the case”.

“We stress our full solidarity with all of our allies and partners concerned, who have gained their long-awaited independence after decades of oppression,” a ministry spokesman said.

The row comes amid increased tension and division in Europe over China’s purported role in negotiating a resolution to the Ukraine war.

During a visit to China earlier this month, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, controversially told his counterpart Xi Jinping that he “counted” on him “to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table”.

The French president has since reportedly arranged secret talks with Chinese diplomats over a peace plan.

Mr Macron also told reporters travelling with him that taking cues from the US regarding China-Taiwan tensions would be the “worst thing” for Europe – comments that drew condemnation from both sides of the Atlantic. 

Several European officials responded by publicly stressing Taiwan’s importance for Europe.

Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, in an opinion piece published Sunday by a French weekly called on European navies to patrol the disputed Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan “concerns us economically, commercially and technologically,” Mr Borrell said. “That’s why I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to show Europe’s commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area.”

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary.