IRIA News

China downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the charge d’affaires level amid the opening of Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

The decision was made after Taiwan opened a so-called representative office in Lithuania on November 18, which provoked strong opposition from the Chinese government. Taiwan is accepted by the U.S. and the majority of the countries as part of China and only 15 countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

China condemned the move by the Baltic State and objected to the use of “Taiwan” rather than “Taipei” in the name of the representative office.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on November 21, 2021, stating: “Given the fact that the political foundation for an ambassadorial-level diplomatic relationship has been damaged by Lithuania, the Chinese government, out of the need to safeguard national sovereignty and basic norms governing international relations, has no choice but to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the chargé d’affaires level. The Lithuanian government must bear all the ensuing consequences.”

“We urge the Lithuanian side to immediately put right its mistake and not to underestimate the Chinese people’s strong resolve, will and capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement added.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an outspoken statement that Lithuania ignored China’s “solemn stance” and basic norms of international relations and that it “undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs” that creates a “bad precedent internationally”.

China also warned that if Lithuania continues to go its own way, it will not rule out the possibility of a complete severance of diplomatic relations with Lithuania. Beijing’s decision to downgrade ties with Lithuania also send a clear message to other European countries, warning them not to try to provoke China on key issues.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania expressed its “regret” over China’s decision. Lithuania’s foreign ministry said in a statement, “Accepting the Taiwanese representation in Lithuania is grounded on economic interests.”

“Lithuanian again confirms it keeps to the ‘single China’ policy, but at the same time it has the right to expand cooperation with Taiwan and to accept, and to establish, non-diplomatic representations to ensure practical development of the connections, as has been done by many other countries.”

Responding to a question if Lithuania expects concrete support from the European Union, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said “it would be appreciated… It’s in all our interests that neither country would suffer if its supply chains are being cut or something like that.”

“We need to figure out the toolbox that any country could use, when it faces this sort of coercion and to give countries more because… the situation Lithuania finds itself in that we have limited maneuvering space in foreign policy field when it comes to Indo-Pacific,” Landsbergis added.

The day after the opening of a Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, Foreign Minister Landsbergis confirmed that his country would sign a $600 million export credit deal with the United States Export-Import Bank.

On November 19, the U.S. Under Secretary of State, Uzra Zeya said at a press conference in Vilnius that Washington “reject attempts of other countries to interfere in Lithuania’s sovereign decision to deepen cooperation with Taiwan.”

Earlier, China also protested against Lithuania’s decision to allow Taiwan to open an office in the country, despite having formal relations with China rather than Taiwan. In response, China also recalled its diplomat from Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian ambassador to leave Beijing. In addition, China halted freight trains to Lithuania and stopped issuing food export licenses.