Chinese state media go at lightning speed: relations with Lithuania may be broken

The Global Times quotes experts who claim that the establishment of a Taiwanese mission is a violation of the one-China principle, which could change formal relations between China and Lithuania.

“In the worst case, if Lithuania continues on the wrong path, it may lead to the termination of relations between the two countries, as the one-China principle is very important to China.” This is the political basis for all countries to maintain diplomatic relations with China, “Professor Xin Qiang of Fudan University in Shanghai told the publication.

The Global Times is the English language publication of the People’s Daily of the Chinese Communist Party.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mantas Adomėnas said “Lithuania is not doing anything that 17 other European Union (EU) countries are not doing” where Taiwanese missions operate.

“Many of them have their sales offices in Taiwan. In other words, by saying that Lithuania is doing something unacceptable, China is silent about the existence of such representations, has accepted their existence, and is not threatening sanctions.

We act within the framework of our relations and the policies of one China, such threats are inconsistent, have no basis in international law and are, in fact, surprising. ” 15 minutes said the deputy minister.

Linas Kojala, director of the Center for Eastern European Studies (RESC), said 15/15 that the severing of diplomatic relations was not the most realistic prospect, even if the issue was very important to China, and any recognition of the policy Taiwan international was considered a defeat.

“We just realized that the toughest sanctions would be imposed. China has been criticized before by Lithuania. It has been said that Lithuania is allegedly pursuing a policy that is important to the United States, which does not correspond to reality, despite that the interests of Lithuania and the United States coincide much more often than those of Lithuania and China, ”said L. Kojala.

The political scientist emphasized that while there are disagreements in relations between Lithuania and China, there are also niches in which cooperation is possible.

A name favorable to Taiwan

In the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the institution is called the Taiwanese Mission.

China seeks to isolate Taipei on the world stage and avoids using the word “Taiwan” in any case, so as not to give the island international legitimacy.

The representative office in Riga is called the Taipei Mission.

According to L. Kojala, such a name probably agreed with Taiwan himself: it is very important for him to be visible as an international actor in need of diplomatic representation.

The political scientist does not rule out the possibility that Lithuania’s decision to establish a Taiwanese representation will become an incentive for other states.

“Or at least it will make it easier for Taiwan to develop dialogue with other countries, including the EU,” Kojala said in a 15/15 program.

Recently, Lithuania’s actions have repeatedly angered Beijing. Earlier this year, Vilnius pulled out of the 17 + 1 format to strengthen cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.

In the spring, the Seimas passed a resolution condemning Beijing’s treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority in Xinjiang province. The resolution calls this behavior “genocide.”

This year, plans were announced to establish a Lithuanian trade representative office in Taiwan; Vilnius will donate 20,000 doses of AstonZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine to Taiwan.

Taiwan – de facto an independent state, although it has never formally declared its independence. Taiwan is recognized by only 15 of the 193 members of the UN, none of them in the EU. Beijing views Taiwan as part of the country, supporting support for the island’s independence as an interference in internal affairs and a violation of Chinese policy.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that Beijing firmly opposes the establishment of Taiwanese missions in countries with diplomatic relations with China.

“We call on Lithuania to adhere to the one-China principle and respect the commitments made when establishing diplomatic relations,” Zhao Lijian said at the press conference.

According to L. Kojala, Lithuania’s aspiration to develop a dialogue with the United States was welcomed, “where its tense relations with China are widely discussed today.”

“It is important that Washington emphasizes that its commitments with Taiwan are also being fulfilled through relations with the Allies,” said the political scientist.