China respects the status of the independent sovereign nations that emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, after Beijing's envoy to Paris sparked a diplomatic storm by questioning their sovereignty.
Ambassador Lu Shaye said in an interview aired on French television on Friday that former Soviet countries like Ukraine lacked "actual status in international law", prompting foreign ministers from several EU member states to label his comments asChina's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning set out the official stance of the government during a regular news conference in Beijing, when asked if China stood behind the envoy's remarks.
"The Chinese side respects the status of the member states as sovereign states after the collapse of the Soviet Union," Mao said, adding that China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with those countries.China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and upholds the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, Mao said.
Asked if China recognises Ukraine as a sovereign state, Mao said China's position on this issue is objective and fair. "The Soviet Union was a federal state, and externally as a whole, it had the status of being a subject of international law, so conversely, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the various republics have the status of sovereign states," she said."The country you mentioned is a full member of the United Nations."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese ambassador sparks European outrage over suggestion former Soviet states don't exist | CNNEuropean countries are demanding answers from Beijing after its top diplomat in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet republics, in comments that could undermine China's efforts to be seen as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
Read more »
China’s Ambassador to France Says Ex-Soviet States Lack Basis for SovereigntyCountries across Eastern Europe condemned remarks by China’s ambassador to France claiming that post-Soviet states lack a firm basis for their sovereignty under international law
Read more »
Baltics condemn China envoy’s stance on ex-Soviet nationsThe three Baltic states have strongly condemned comments by China's envoy to France, who appeared to suggest in a recent French television interview that former Soviet republics aren't sovereign nations.
Read more »
China affirms ex-Soviet nations' sovereignty after uproarThe Chinese government said Monday it respects the sovereignty of former Soviet Union republics after Beijing’s ambassador to France caused an uproar in Europe by saying they aren’t sovereign nations.
Read more »
China says it respects ex-Soviet nations after envoy’s 'unacceptable' comments on sovereigntyChina said Monday it respects the independency of former Soviet nations after remarks by its ambassador in France were deemed 'unacceptable' in Europe.
Read more »
China says it respects sovereignty of ex-Soviet states after EU uproarChina's comments from the foreign ministry came as a Chinese ambassador appeared to question that sovereignty, drawing ire from several EU countries.
Read more »