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Sunday, November 21, 2021
The Chinese Government downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania. The Baltic state had allowed Taiwan to establish a ‘de facto’ representative’s office in the country’s capital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China issued a press statement which clearly expressed “strong dissatisfaction” over Lithuania’s move in approving Taiwan to open a representative’s office in Vilnius.
Lithuania expressed regret over China’s comments and defended its right to maintain relations with Taiwan. China claims this was a violation of the ‘One-China Policy’. On 14 November, the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonyt? said, “Our government’s programme says Lithuania wants a more intense economic, cultural and scientific relationship with Taiwan, I want to emphasize that this step does not mean any conflict or disagreement with the ‘One-China policy’.”
Beijing had already expressed concerns over the representative’s office using the name ‘Taiwan’ and had recalled its ambassador from its embassy in Lithuania in August. China has decided to lower its level of relations by appointing a chargé d’affaires instead of an ambassador. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told at a news conference, “Lithuania only has itself to blame, it will have to pay for what it did.” Meanwhile China is discussing a new legislation that would make supporters of Taiwan criminal offenders. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said in a statement earlier this month, that people listed in the list of supporters of Taiwan’s Independence would face serious criminal sanctions.
Poland has also shown support towards Lithuania’s decision of approving to establish a representative’s office of Taiwan in Vilnius. The United States has also offered financial support to Lithuania to help it withstand Chinese pressure. Lithuania will also sign a $600 million export credit agreement with the U.S. Export-Import Bank on November 24. Lithuania also decided to pull out from the Beijing-led trade grouping with Central European countries.