“French President Macron Urges Europe to Have Independent Strategy Regarding Taiwan Escalation”

PARIS, KOMPAS.com – French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe should not be disinterested in the escalation of Taiwan.

He said Europe should have an independent strategy, either from the United States (US) or China, as reported by Reuters.

This statement was made by Macron in an interview with the newspapers Les Echos and Politico published on Sunday (9/4/2023).

Also read: Russia Calls China the West’s Next Target after Moscow

Macron has just returned to France from a three-day state visit to China. During the visit, Macron received a warm welcome from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On Saturday (8/4/2023), China began drills around Taiwan out of anger over President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday (5/4/2023) in Los Angeles, USA.

China views Taiwan as part of its own territory. On the other hand, the Government of Taiwan strongly opposes China’s claims.

After his visit from China, Macron said that Europe should not precipitate conflict.

Also read: China Simulates Attack on Taiwan, 58 Planes and 9 Warships Detected

Instead, said Macron, the “Blue Continent” should take time to establish its position as a third pole between China and the US.

“The worst thing is to think that we Europeans should become followers of this topic and adapt to American rhythms or Chinese overreactions,” Macron said.

He said Europe should better fund its defense industry, develop nuclear and renewable energy, and reduce dependence on the US dollar to limit its dependence on Washington.

Also read: Frightening Neighbor’s Chickens to Death, Chinese Men Sentenced to Jail

On Friday (7/4/2023), an adviser to Macron told reporters in Guangzhou that Xi and Macron had a dense and honest discussion on the Taiwan issue during their meeting.

“The president’s feeling is that we have to be careful that there are no accidents or escalations (which could lead to) China going on the offensive,” the adviser said.

Macron traveled to China with a delegation of 50 large business including Airbus and nuclear energy producer EDF, which signed deals during the visit.

Also read: US Monitors Chinese Military Exercises Around Taiwan

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