Jean-Luc Mélenchon said France would not join a US-led war against China over Taiwan if he became president, invoking France’s 1964 recognition of the People’s Republic of China.
The leader of La France Insoumise framed relations with Beijing as a choice between partnership and hostility. In remarks quoted by Italian outlet L’Antidiplomatico, he said France should negotiate with China and warned it would be “crushed” if it failed to do so.
Mélenchon also argued that Taiwan was part of China and cited the decision by President Charles de Gaulle’s government to recognize the People’s Republic in 1964. Those statements describe Mélenchon’s position on the issue.
His comments echo a position he has voiced before. In a 2021 speech to France’s National Assembly, Mélenchon opposed a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and called for easing tensions with China.