BEIJING: Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected suggestion that Europe not “follow” US policy on Taiwan is being hailed as a “brilliant decision” this week in China, where state news outlets and social media users are lauding his independence.
The French president sowed confusion across the international community — and left Western allies bristling — after calling for “strategic autonomy” on Taiwan following last week’s trip to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping.
The 45-year-old Macron enjoyed a rockstar reception during his three-day visit, including being mobbed by selfie-chasing students in the southern city of Guangzhou, and local media has covered his subsequent comments widely, focusing on the phrase “strategic autonomy”.
An opinion piece published Monday by the Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times said the comments were “clearly the result of Macron’s long-term observation and reflection” and represented a path that was “relatively objective, rational and in line with Europe’s own interests”.
“Some people want to construct a false Europe in public opinion, masking true European voices and interests,” the article added.
Chen Weihua, Brussels bureau chief for state-run China Daily, wrote on Twitter that “Macron’s words about EU strategic autonomy and resisting a new Cold War and decoupling will also prove to be a brilliant decision”.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory to one day be taken back, has long sought to break Western resolve on the thorny issue.
And Macron’s recent words on distancing Europe from Washington on the subject of Taiwan suggest China’s efforts might be having some success.
“Daring to talk openly about autonomy,” commented a user of social media site Weibo under a news article on Macron, “Europe has progressed.” – AFP
