China on Sunday downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania in response to Taiwan opening a de facto embassy in the eastern European country. Beijing said that its relations with Vilnius would be downgraded to the level of chargé d’affaires, which is a level below ambassador.
The Lithuanian government expressed regret over China’s latest retaliatory move but defended its right to expand cooperation with the self-governed island while simultaneously respecting Beijing’s “One China” policy.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte justified her country’s decision on Sunday by saying that the opening of the representative office in the country’s capital “should not have come as a surprise to anyone.” “Our government’s programme says Lithuania wants a more intense economic, cultural and scientific relationship with Taiwan… I want to emphasise that this step does not mean any conflict or disagreement with the ‘One China’ policy,” she remarked.
Poland, which is a member of the European Union as well as Lithuania’s neighbour, has pledged its support for Lithuania; Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Sunday that he supports the action taken by Vilnius.
Meanwhile, Taiwan reported that two Chinese nuclear-capable H-6 bombers had invaded the island’s self-governing zone on Sunday by flying close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. The exercise, which China usually calls “routine,” are part of a pattern that Taipei perceives as military harassment in order to assert dominance over the island’s government.
Tensions between the three escalated after Taiwan opened a representative office in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius last week. It is the island’s first de facto embassy in Europe. Elsewhere in Europe and North America, Taiwan’s international offices use the name Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices to avoid conflict with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.
Following the opening, a statement released on Friday by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Beijing “expresses strong protest and firm objection” to the “extremely egregious act,” and “will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Hua also warned Lithuania of consequences, saying that the move “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs.” “The Lithuanian side shall be responsible for all the ensuing consequences. We demand that the Lithuanian side immediately correct its wrong decision,” she said.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council retorted by denouncing China’s “rudeness and arrogance,” saying the Chinese government has “no right” to comment on an issue that is not part of its internal affairs, but “purely a matter between Taiwan and Lithuania.”
China Downgrades Relations With Lithuania After Taiwan Embassy Fiasco
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte defended her country’s decision on Sunday, saying that her government continues to respect the “One China” Principle
November 22, 2021
IMAGE SOURCE: GLOBE ECHO