China Warns of Retaliation Against Lithuania for Approving 'Taiwan Representative Office'

Lithuania Approves Taiwan Representative Office, Essentially an Embassy... China Claims Damage to 'One China' Policy
Taiwan Showcases US Ties by Deploying US F-16V Fighters on Same Day

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Despite strong opposition from China, Lithuania gave final approval on the 18th to establish a 'Taiwan Representative Office.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This approval came amid China’s self-praise that it sent a strong signal to the international community opposing Taiwan independence through the US-China summit. China immediately issued warning remarks hinting at retaliation.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 19th, Lithuania approved changing the name of the Taipei Representative Office located in its capital Vilnius to the Lithuania Taiwan Representative Office. The use of the country name Taiwan instead of the capital Taipei means that the office’s status has been elevated to that of an embassy.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Lithuania for creating 'one China, one Taiwan,' saying it blatantly violated the One-China principle. It expressed displeasure, stating that this approval damages China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and interferes in China’s internal affairs.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the People’s Republic of China (China) is the sole legal government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The ministry warned that China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that Lithuania will be held responsible for all consequences arising thereafter.

China is reportedly unsettled by this approval of the Taiwan Representative Office. Within China, there had been positive reactions to the results of the US-China summit, especially regarding the Taiwan issue.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University’s Institute of International Relations, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency, "At the China-US summit, President Joe Biden sent a clear signal to the international community that Taiwan independence is unacceptable," adding, "Supporting Taiwan independence will lead to serious consequences, and the Taiwan authorities must wake up from their illusions."

Wang Yingjin, director of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Institute at Renmin University, said, "The US leader confirmed a clear signal to the international community opposing Taiwan independence at the China-US summit," and added, "The separatist moves by the Taiwan authorities could bring disaster not only to the Taiwan Strait but also to the people of Taiwan."

Meanwhile, Taiwan held a large-scale event showcasing the deployment of 64 of the US’s latest F-16V fighter jets the day before, prominently displaying its relationship with the United States. Taiwan is currently upgrading and converting its older F-16A/B fighter jets, introduced in the 1990s, to F-16Vs.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in her congratulatory speech that "the recent defense cooperation between Taiwan and the United States has advanced the friendship between Taiwan and the US," and added, "This is a firm commitment to the partnership between Taiwan and the United States."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.