13/05/2020 (Agence Europe) – Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced on Tuesday 12 May that he continued to have confidence in Nicolas Chapuis, the EU’s Ambassador to China, despite the ambassador’s decision to authorise publication of a censored editorial (see EUROPE 12483/19). He nevertheless explained that the Ambassador's decision, which was “taken under great time pressure” was not the right one to make. The High Representative believes that, in a case like this, it would be better to consult headquarters first. “The EEAS administrative hierarchy has been in discussion with (Mr Chapuis) to ensure that this does not happen again”, Borrell added. He felt, however, that the importance of the event should not be “exaggerated”, and observed that the fact that China had state-controlled media and that censorship took place was not a new phenomenon. (CG)