China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania on Sunday (November 21). After Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in the Baltic countries, it expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the Baltic countries and escalated the dispute in Washington.
China regards autonomous and democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, and has no right to obtain national clothing, and has increased pressure to require countries to downgrade or sever relations with Taiwan, even unofficial relations.
Lithuania expressed regret over China’s move, but defended its right to expand cooperation with Taiwan, while respecting Beijing’s “One China” policy, and stated that its foreign minister would go to Washington to discuss trade and investment projects.
At the same time, Taiwan reported that on Sunday, two Chinese nuclear-capable H-6 bombers flew to the southern part of the island as part of a military harassment model that Taipei sees as an attempt to pressure the government.
This summer, Beijing has expressed anger against Lithuania — Lithuania has formal relations with China, not Taiwan — after it allowed Lithuania to open an office in the country under the name of Taiwan. China recalled its ambassador in August.
Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name of Taipei City and avoid mentioning the island itself. However, the Taiwan representative office in Lithuania finally opened on Thursday.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a straightforward statement that Lithuania ignores China’s “solitary stand” and basic norms of international relations.
Beijing said it would downgrade the relationship to ChargeBusiness, One grade lower than the ambassador.
The statement stated that the move “damaged China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs”, setting a “bad precedent” in the international arena.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “We urge the Lithuanian side to immediately correct its mistakes and not to underestimate the firm determination and firm determination of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
No matter what Taiwan does, it cannot change the fact that it is part of China.
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Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonite said on Sunday that the opening of a representative office without formal diplomatic status should not surprise anyone.
“Our government’s plan shows that Lithuania hopes to establish closer economic, cultural and scientific relations with Taiwan,” she said. “I want to emphasize that this step does not mean any conflict or disagreement with the’One China’ policy.”
The prime minister of Poland, Lithuania’s larger EU neighbor, said on Sunday that it supports the position taken by Vilnius.
A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that since this summer, EU executives have “have been on the side of Lithuania as China continues to take coercive measures.”
Taiwan calls it an independent country, the official name is the Republic of China, the People’s Republic of China has never ruled it, and has no right to speak for it.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan condemned China’s “rudeness and arrogance”, saying that Beijing has no right to comment that it is not China’s internal affairs, but is purely a matter between Taiwan and Lithuania.
Facing China’s military and diplomatic pressure, especially pressure from the United States and some of its allies, Taiwan is encouraged by the increasing international support.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zea said at a press conference in Vilnius on Friday that Washington rejects attempts by other countries to interfere in Lithuania’s relations with Taiwan.
The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis will travel to Washington on Tuesday, where he is expected to discuss opening the U.S. market to Lithuanian goods and developing joint investment projects.
Landsbergis will meet with Jose W. Fernandez, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, to “discuss the possibility of expanding and deepening mutually beneficial economic ties,” it said.
Washington has provided support to Vilnius to withstand pressure from China, and Lithuania will sign a $600 million export credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States on Wednesday.
Only 15 countries have established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
After the Honduras presidential election later this month, Taipei may lose another ally in Beijing, with a candidate backed by a major opposition party leading the polls.
If elected, Humara Castro vowed to establish formal relations with China.
