Xi courts Macron to isolate Japanese PM

Emmanuel Macron is flying into another controversy over Taiwan.

- Bloomberg

The French president's last visit to China, two-and-a-half years ago, was overshadowed by remarks that appeared to put limits on his commitment to supporting Taiwan. Now he’s back for a three-day visit that began Wednesday, and the democratically-ruled island claimed by Beijing is again in the spotlight.

China has been seeking backup from France—one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—in its recent dispute with Japan over Taiwan's status. Beijing lashed out after prime minister Sanae Takaichi last month suggested that a potential conflict over the island could pose an existential risk for Japan.

China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, used a Thursday call with Macron’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to say the two sides needed to support each other and to condemn Takaichi’s “provocative remarks”. Macron’s Elysee Palace on Thursday called for the status quo to be respected, and for an easing of tensions.

Just ahead of Macron’s trip, a senior Japanese national security official and a French foreign policy adviser agreed to strengthen security cooperation between their two countries, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.

The new Japanese leader's comments are problematic for China in two ways. On the most basic level, they imply Taiwan's future could become an international dispute—while Beijing’s One-China policy insists the island’s future is a domestic issue. Beyond that, Takaichi’s remarks suggest a conflict might be serious enough for Japan to legally justify deploying its military in support of the Taiwanese.