China Rejects Macron's Taiwan-Ukraine Comparison
China strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron after he drew parallels between the Taiwan issue and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.
Macron's Warning at Shangri-La Dialogue
During the conference held on May 30, 2025, Macron expressed concern that Russia's unrestrained aggression in Ukraine could establish a dangerous precedent for Asia. He questioned, "If Russian President Vladimir Putin could take Ukrainian territory without any restrictions, without any constraints, what could happen in Taiwan? What will you do the day something happens in the Philippines?"
Chinese Embassy's Strong Response
Shortly after the remarks, China's embassy in Singapore issued a statement on social media rejecting Macron's comparison as "unacceptable." The embassy emphasized that the Taiwan question is fundamentally different from the Ukraine issue and accused Macron of applying a "double standard."
Heightened Tensions Amid Regional Security Concerns
Macron's comments came just one day after the United States Defense Secretary warned of a potentially imminent threat from China in Asia. He stressed that any military action by China against Taiwan would have severe consequences for the Indo-Pacific region and global stability.
Key points from the US Defense Secretary's address included:
- The real and imminent nature of the threat posed by China
- The devastative impact any Chinese military moves on Taiwan could trigger
Macron Addresses Broader Geopolitical Issues
In addition to the Asia-Pacific concerns, Macron highlighted Europe's credibility at stake regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. He criticized the perceived permissiveness toward Israel’s actions, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and a looming famine in Gaza since late 2023.
Macron warned that abandoning Gaza or appearing to give Israel a "free pass" undermines Europe’s global standing despite condemnation of terrorist acts.
