China threatens to show its power to Lithuania – compared to a muse that must be demolished
Taiwan is ready to defend Taiwan with a weapon, and Beijing is determined to punish any state that defends the island’s independence. Lithuania, which became the first country in the world to open a Taiwanese representative office, also joined this week.
Elsewhere, Taiwanese representations operate on behalf of the capital, Taipei, in the order that such a name is not contrary to the policies of one China. Which cannot treat Taiwan as a separate state.
Drooping Beijing has already stated that it will not return its ambassador to Lithuania, who was recalled at the end of the summer.
Communist China is not waiting for the return of the Lithuanian ambassador, who returned to Lithuania in the beginning of autumn.
Relations between the parties will be maintained only between the interim trustees.
“The question is another – is it the first and only step and can pressure be expected in the near future,” said Linas Kojala, head of the Center for Eastern European Studies (RESC).
China’s state channel warns that “Lithuanian governments must suffer all the consequences.”
“We urge Lithuania to correct mistakes and not to underestimate the determination and ability of the Chinese people to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese state channel said.
The state portal Global Times, which broadcasts the ideas of the Communist Party, calls Lithuania a clown radiating excessive courage. Or muse to be shot down, they have to be careful.
“Lithuania must suffer the pain of great and noble power, but this must not harm our interests and broader strategy. It’s like shooting down a fly – we just have to be careful not to get our hands smeared with blood and break the vase on the table, “the Global Times reported.
The portal previously discussed whether China could unite with Russia, or even Belarus, to deal more widely. After all, Beijing has no economic leverage against Lithuania.
China has invested only 3 million euros in Lithuania.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė assures that the decision to approve the representation in Taiwan does not violate the principle of one China.
“Lithuania has opened a representative office dedicated to practical cooperation in the economic, social, cultural and various other fields. But this is not a diplomatic mission, I would like to mention it again, “said the Prime Minister.
Šimonytė also heard the support of the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawieckis for the decision to allow the Taiwanese mission to operate.
And Deputy Foreign Minister Mantas Adomėnas writes that the communist regime in China is engaged in a full-scale experiment.
“Of course, so have other totalitarian regimes, both the Nazis and the Communists. However, none of them has such technical conditions and (…) such economic, political and repressive power and such experimental conditions – the mass of people who make up one-fifth of humanity, can simply isolate themselves from the outside world due to communist rule, ”the deputy minister wrote in the social space. M. Adomėnas.
The question remains as to how much such a value position will cost Lithuania. Taiwan, on the other hand, offers to support the development of high-demand, used in the automotive industry as well.
The US rejects an attempt to interfere in Lithuania’s decision to deepen ties with Taiwan,
The United States rejects attempts by other countries to interfere in Lithuania’s decision to deepen ties with Taiwan, says Uzra Zeya, Undersecretary of State for Civil Protection, Democracy and Human Rights, to visit Vilnius.
In this way, she commented on China’s sharp criticism of the opening of the Taiwanese mission.
“We reaffirm our support for our valued NATO and EU partner and ally. We reject attempts by other countries to interfere in Lithuania’s independent decision to deepen cooperation with Taiwan, “Z. Zeya said during a press conference in Vilnius on Friday.
She also said that she sees the opening of a Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius as an opportunity to expand “significant participation of Taiwan in the international space”.
“We congratulate Taiwan and Lithuania on the opening of a Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius and Lithuania’s plan to offer a similar representation, as we have heard, at the beginning of next year. We see this as an opportunity to expand Taiwan’s significant presence in the international arena. We believe that the opening of these offices will also expand economic and technological cooperation between Taiwan and Lithuania, ”said the representative of the United States.
Asked whether he supported Lithuania’s decision to allow the mission to open on behalf of Taiwan, Zeya replied that she was referring the matter to the Lithuanian government because it was her political decision.
On Thursday, China once again condemned Lithuania’s decision to allow the Taiwanese mission to act on behalf of the island and said it would defend its territorial integrity, which Vilnius said was violated by Vilnius.
The statement was circulated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the Taiwanese mission opened its doors in Vilnius.
“This move undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and severely interferes with China’s internal affairs. The Chinese Government is protesting strongly and strongly opposing this very terrible act and will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Lithuanian side is responsible for all the consequences arising from it, “the statement states.
According to Beijing, by allowing the mission to operate under such a name, Lithuania abandoned the political commitment made in the communication on the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and violated the principle of “one China”.
Elsewhere in the world, the Taiwanese mission on behalf of the capital, Taipei, has not acted to treat Taiwan as a separate state, as long as there is an international consensus that the name is not in conflict with the “one China” policy.
Lithuania emphasizes that the Taiwanese mission has not been granted diplomatic status, and will take care exclusively of the development of economic and cultural ties. The mission itself stated in its report that it would also provide consular services.
The Taiwanese mission in Vilnius will not have diplomatic status – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Taiwanese representation in Vilnius has been opened to develop economic ties with India and the Pacific, but it will not have diplomatic status, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We aim to forge stronger ties in the Asian region or the Indian-Pacific region. “We have recently opened an embassy in Australia, and we plan to open an embassy in South Korea later this year, and next year in Singapore and a representative office in Taipei,” Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsberg told reporters in the Seimas on Thursday, commenting on the opening of the Taiwanese mission.
According to him, China has been informed about the launch of this representative office in Vilnius.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Minister Vytautė Šmaižytė-Kuliešienė emphasized in the comment sent to BNS that “this mission will not have diplomatic status”.
According to Landsberg, no reaction from China has been received so far, and a higher level of risk of cyber attacks has not been recorded.
The Foreign Minister said it was in the interest of the state to forge stronger ties with democratic countries.
“We believe that the economic relations established with democratic states are more sustainable and long-lasting, they are more based on the principle of the rule of law, therefore they are more in line with Lithuania’s interests,” he said.
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taiwanese mission in Vilnius will start on Thursday.
Eric Huang has been appointed head of the Taipei office in Latvia.
The Taiwanese mission is presented as the office of Taipei to develop trade relations, but it will also handle consular matters.
Lithuania’s decision to allow Taiwan’s representative office in the country to act on behalf of Taiwanese angers China, which is protesting against any attempts by Taiwan to act as the state needs.
Elsewhere in the world, the Taiwanese mission on behalf of the capital, Taipei, has not acted to treat Taiwan as a separate state, as long as there is an international consensus that the name is not in conflict with the “one China” policy.
A few months ago, China recalled its ambassador to the country and demanded that Lithuania provide that assistance. Ambassador Diana Mickevičienė returned to Vilnius for consultations in early September.