New Taipei: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the international community to reject “double standards” in addressing global conflicts, warning that the outcome of the war in Ukraine could have consequences for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Macron emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent rules-based international order, drawing parallels between Russia’s war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
According to Focus Taiwan, Macron highlighted the risks associated with allowing Russia to annex parts of Ukraine without repercussions, questioning the potential implications for Taiwan and other regions like the Philippines. He urged for a uniform approach in addressing conflicts across different regions, warning that inconsistent support for territorial integrity could damage the credibility of democratic nations worldwide.
Macron asserted the necessity of upholding global principles uniformly, emphasizing that there should not be multiple global orders if nations adhere to these principles. While reaffirming France’s alliance with the United States, he stressed the importance of Europe maintaining “strategic autonomy” and fostering cooperation with Asian partners.
He noted that European and Asian countries are facing similar challenges that are becoming increasingly interconnected, indirectly referencing coercive actions by Russia and China in regions ranging from Europe to the South China Sea. Macron also criticized North Korea’s growing alignment with Russia and its unchecked nuclear arsenal, urging China to prevent North Korea from engaging on European soil if it opposes NATO’s involvement in Asia.
The report highlights that Pyongyang confirmed in April it had sent troops to assist Russian forces in Ukraine. While Beijing claims neutrality in Russia’s war, its strategic partnership with Moscow has led to accusations of military and economic support to Russia.
Macron further pointed out the competitive dynamics between China and the U.S. for global leadership, which could impose constraints and side effects on other nations. He noted that ASEAN and European countries are also affected by the unpredictability of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In his address, Macron called for the creation of “a new coalition for open trade” and urged efforts to stabilize an open, rules-based order. The 2025 security forum is being held in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, with heads of state and defense chiefs from various countries attending to present their policy on the Indo-Pacific.