Beijing Urges France to Respect One-China Principle During High-Level Talks

During high-level talks in Beijing, China's top diplomat Wang Yi emphatically called on France to uphold the one-China principle, a cornerstone of Beijing's foreign policy. Meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, the French president's diplomatic adviser, Wang stressed the importance of respecting each other's core interests and fostering a strategic partnership that remains 'free from external interference.' This dialogue underscores Beijing's consistent stance on sensitive geopolitical issues and its desire for unwavering adherence from international partners.

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China and France must respect each other’s core interests, particularly the one-China principle, and strengthen a strategic partnership “free from external interference”.

Wang articulated that the foundation of Sino-French relations rests upon 'solid political mutual trust.' He specifically conveyed Beijing's expectation that France will 'refrain from any form of official interaction with the Taiwan authorities and send no wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.' This direct appeal highlights China's sensitivity regarding Taiwan and its determination to prevent any actions perceived as legitimizing the island's separate political status. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released details of these discussions, emphasizing the gravity with which Beijing views these matters.

This meeting, the second between Wang and Bonne in recent months, occurs against a backdrop of complex global dynamics. While China views Europe as a crucial component of a multipolar world and supports European integration, it remains vigilant against perceived external pressures or influences that could undermine its core interests. Beijing's emphasis on 'mutual trust' and 'non-interference' signals its expectation for a partnership grounded in shared understanding and respect for national sovereignty, as defined by China.

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The foundation of Paris-Beijing ties lay in “solid political mutual trust”.

From Beijing's perspective, adherence to the one-China principle is not merely a diplomatic formality but a fundamental prerequisite for stable and productive relations. Any deviation, whether through official contact with Taiwan or ambiguous signaling, is viewed as a direct challenge to China's territorial integrity and national reunification goals. This interaction with France serves as a clear message to European nations about the non-negotiable nature of this principle in China's foreign relations.

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He expressed hope that France would “refrain from any form of official interaction with the Taiwan authorities and send no wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces”.