France urges Chinese ambassador to comply with summons over ‘insults and threats’
- Envoy cites scheduling issues for delay in answering call to foreign ministry
- Europe minister say he’s not convinced by explanation
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But Beaune said Lu had snubbed the summons, with the Chinese embassy in Paris citing “scheduling issues” in a Twitter post late on Monday and saying the envoy would appear on Tuesday.
“I don’t really believe there’s a scheduling problem, and this isn’t how these things work,” Beaune told France Info radio.
“Neither France nor Europe is a doormat.
“When you are summoned as an ambassador, you pay a visit to the foreign ministry.”
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Beijing hits back at Western sanctions against China’s alleged treatment of Uygur Muslims
Lu, an envoy known for his aggressive and outspoken comments on the embassy’s Twitter account, has targeted several people recently including Antoine Bondaz, a China specialist at the Foundation for Strategic Research think tank.
Lu also took aim at French lawmakers who wanted to travel to Taiwan.
China, Russia agree to work together against ‘illegitimate’ sanctions
The diplomatic spat comes as China reacted furiously to new Western sanctions over rights violations and a crackdown against a Muslim Uygur minority it accuses of religious extremism.
Rights groups believe at least one million Uygurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in camps in the northwestern region, where China is also accused of forcibly sterilising women and imposing forced labour.
Beijing responded with entry bans on 10 Europeans – including five members of the European Parliament as well as two EU bodies and two think tanks.
