Beijing wants to punish Lithuania for its special relationship with Taiwan

Lithuania welcomes the office of trade representative from Taiwan, but not from Taipei – named after the island’s capital – China imposed its custom, recalling its ambassador to the Baltic state on Tuesday. European union. At Beijing’s request, the Lithuanian ambassador announced his departure from China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Xunying condemned the move on Wednesday (August 11). “China violates sovereignty and territorial integrity and goes against a Chinese policy”.

Within a month of Taiwan and Lithuania announcing plans to open an office in their respective capitals, Taiwan was among 57 countries that did not maintain Chinese diplomatic relations. These are called the “Taipei Representative Office” and act as real embassies: for the Olympic Games, island athletes compete under the name “Chinese Taipei”, which maintains the fantasy of a China – Taiwan’s official name is the Republic of China, recognized by fifteen smaller countries, including the Vatican – at the same time The island allows it to be a separate entity from China.

Embracing economic partner

In one Editorial published August 11Chinese Nationalist Daily Global Times Costjets a “Very irresponsible behavior” From Vilnius, he proposes it China and Russia cooperate to punish Lithuania: “If Lithuania continues, China must be prepared for a breakdown in relations. In addition, China must punish Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus., We read. The previous day, the editor of the newspaper, Hu Jijin, described Lithuania as A. “Crazy and small country full of geopolitical worries” For the beginning of America.

Agreeing to name this representation of Vilnius as the “Taiwanese Office” while threatening China’s wrath: Lithuania is one of the countries of Northern and Eastern Europe. The Kovit-19 epidemic, the Chinese giants and those who approached Taiwan, even if they did not formally recognize it from a diplomatic perspective. Not only does Taiwan share their democratic values, but the island is proving to be a very viable economic partner in terms of size and growth. In addition, China’s response to established European countries such as Sweden in recent years shows just how unpredictable it is.

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