China announces downgrade of diplomatic relations with Lithuania..."Broke bilateral diplomatic commitment"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Chinese government announced that it will downgrade diplomatic relations with Lithuania as a retaliatory measure for allowing the establishment of Taiwan's diplomatic mission, the Taiwan Representative Office. As cross-strait relations issues spread to Eastern Europe, the number of countries expected to face diplomatic friction with China is likely to increase.

According to foreign media including the AP News, on the 21st, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "Despite China's strong protests, Lithuania allowed the establishment of the Taiwan Representative Office," and "This violates the promise of diplomatic relations between the two countries and is a reckless interference in China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." It further announced, "Diplomatic relations between the two countries will be downgraded from ambassadorial level to charg? d'affaires level."

Earlier, on the 18th, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the official opening of the 'Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania' in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. This is the first time in 18 years that a Taiwanese diplomatic mission has been established in Europe. Notably, this is the first time the office used 'Taiwan' instead of 'Taipei' in its name. Until now, countries that have diplomatic relations with China have used the capital's name, Taipei, instead of Taiwan, which signifies the country, in the names of Taiwanese diplomatic missions out of consideration for China.

The Chinese government has strongly opposed this, calling it a disregard of the long-standing 'One China' principle. Since Lithuania announced on July 7 that it would allow the establishment of the Taiwan Representative Office, China has summoned the Chinese ambassador to Lithuania and expelled the Lithuanian ambassador stationed in China, applying diplomatic pressure. It has also taken retaliatory measures such as suspending direct freight train operations to Lithuania.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over the Chinese government's decision. The ministry stated, "Lithuania respects the One China principle," but countered, "The decision to allow the establishment of the Taiwan Representative Office is based on economic interests, and Lithuania has the right to expand its relations with Taiwan."

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