Lu Shaye, Chinese ambassador to France, sparked a lively controversy by questioning the fact that Crimea can be Ukrainian territory. He also considered that the countries of the former USSR could not enjoy international sovereignty.
Since 1991 and the collapse of the Soviet bloc, almost the entire international community has recognized Kiev's sovereignty over the peninsula. France said it "took note" of the remarks made by the Chinese diplomat and called on Beijing to "say (if) they reflect its position" in the case.