The Lithuanian ambassador to China stated that she had been asked to leave the country one day after Beijing asked Vilnius to recall its envoy to allow Taiwan to set up offices in EU member states in her own name.
A dispute broke out last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory, stated that it would set up a representative office in Vilnius under the name “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei.” Beijing interpreted this behavior as a diplomatic insult.
In protest, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the recall of Lithuanian Ambassador Diana Mikevisine on Tuesday (August 10) and stated that it would withdraw the Chinese envoy to Lithuania.
When she was told that she must return to Vilnius as soon as possible, Mickeviciene had just returned to the Chinese capital.
“I just arrived in Beijing… and was told that I was asked to leave,” she told AFP in an email late Wednesday.
Mickeviciene added that she must undergo a 21-day mandatory quarantine, “but once the quarantine is over, I will leave and I can move.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania expressed regret over Beijing’s decision.
“While respecting the one-China principle, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement.
The EU expressed “regret” over Beijing’s response, which marked the first time that China has recalled special envoys from EU member states to resolve the Taiwan office issue.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated on Wednesday that the establishment of an office in the name of Taiwan “seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and seriously violates the one-China principle.”
Spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement: “China has the right and should make a legal and reasonable response.”
China tries to isolate Taipei on the world stage and refuses to use the word “Taiwan” officially, so as not to bring Taiwan international legitimacy.
After Tsai Ing-wen was elected president in 2016, it severed official ties with Taiwan and increased diplomatic pressure. Tsai Ing-wen rejected Beijing’s position that this autonomous island is part of “One China” and instead treats Taiwan as De facto sovereign state.
