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The Asian colossus took reprimands against Europeans after launching a space under the name of Taiwan, something that it considered an undermining of “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.” The Lithuanian Prime Minister assured that this does not have a formal diplomatic tie and that her country is not unaware of the ‘One China’ policy. Poland and the United States showed their support for the Balkans.
This Sunday China once again marked its rigid stance regarding Taiwan at the international level after responding negatively to the opening of a representative office in Vilnius.
In retaliation, the Asian giant downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania to express its discomfort with Europeans. Now, these relationships have been demoted to the level of charge d’affaires, one notch below the figure of ambassador.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China assured that this action by the country on the Balkan coast “undermines sovereignty and territorial integrity and greatly interfered in Chinese internal affairs” and that it created a “bad precedent at the international level.”
In addition, he accused them of ignoring the Chinese position and the basic norms of international diplomacy. “We urge the Lithuanian side to correct its mistakes immediately and not underestimate the firm determination of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Foreign Relations statement explained.
For its part, Lithuania expressed its regret for China’s move. However, he stressed his right to expand Taiwan’s cooperation. The one who responded this Sunday was the Prime Minister, Ingrida Simonyte, who clarified that the new representative office does not have formal diplomatic status.
“I want to emphasize that this step does not signify any conflict or disagreement with the ‘One China’ policy,” said Simonyte. And he closed by reaffirming that his government’s program wants “a more intense economic, cultural and scientific relationship with Taiwan.”
There are other Taiwanese offices in Europe and the United States, but contrary to the case of Lithuania, they are under the name of the city Taipei, which avoids a direct reference to the island and the malaise of China.
Poland’s prime minister spoke out in favor of his Balkan neighbor this Sunday and supported Vilna’s position, noting that it has done so since the coercive measures that China has implemented since the summer.
The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council called China’s comments on its issue with Lithuania rude and arrogant. In recent weeks, the island felt supported internationally in the face of Chinese military pressure. However, it only has official diplomatic ties with 15 nations, the majority from Oceania and Central America.
Meanwhile, Washington also rejected attempts by other countries to obstruct the Lithuania-Taiwan relationship, said Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya at a press conference last Friday.
The United States’ ties with its Lithuanian counterparts could level up next week when Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis arrives in the US capital to discuss the opening of the North American market for Lithuanian products.
Landsbergis will have a meeting with José Fernández – Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment – where they will discuss possibilities for expansion and deepening of economic ties.
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