Kubilius – after China’s comments on relations with Lithuania: its position is a mistake
Diplomatic relations between Lithuania and China, as announced by Qu Baihua, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania, during a press conference on Wednesday, will be maintained at the level of the Chargé d’Affaires ai. This is the lowest class of heads of diplomatic missions.
According to Q. Baihua, the opening of a representative office on behalf of the Taiwanese people violated the principle of “one China”.
“We call on the Lithuanian government to acknowledge the mistake and not to underestimate the will and determination of the Chinese people to defend the country’s territorial integrity and national security,” said a spokesman for the embassy.
Kubilius urges China to correct its mistake
However, commenting on China’s position, A. Kubilius stated that the mistake is not Lithuania’s actions, but China’s actions.
“I think that China’s position is a mistake and I can only urge China to correct its mistake, because relations with Taiwan are first and foremost a matter for Lithuania to strengthen and improve. And the European Parliament is calling on the EU country to take that relationship to a higher level. ” Delphi said A. Kubilius.
According to him, the name of the Taiwanese representation reflects the nation.
“I believe that their representation does not have any legal or diplomatic consequences. We know that China is very sensitive to this, but I think it is time for China to realize that the countries have the right to decide on their relationship with the Taiwanese people, “he said.
China’s attempts to punish countries like Lithuania, according to A. Kubilius, are turning against them. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy, Qu Baihua, also said at a news conference that no country is able to offset China’s market, which is one of the largest in the world.
“There is an obvious threat here and Lithuanian business with those threats is in real life, but again – this is not news for us. Russia did the same.
Businesses need to know that in dealing with economies run by authoritarian regimes, there is always the risk that the authoritarian regime will decide to impose any sanctions, dislike any name, any word in politics, and so on. There is nothing new for us here, “commented A. Kubilius.
In his view, it is necessary to realize that developing economic relations with China is risky.
“This is shown by China’s own actions,” the policy said.
China’s actions cause solidarity for Lithuania
Mr Kubilius also pointed out that pressure from China could have the opposite effect.
“China’s pressure, as far as it is now showing towards Lithuania, causes a lot of solidarity and support for Lithuania, both verbally and business-like,” the politician noted.
The MEP noted that Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis is currently visiting the United States to discuss an agreement that could potentially benefit the Lithuanian economy.
“I see that the United States has taken very concrete steps to offset all the potential losses that Lithuanian business may suffer as a result of China’s sanctions. So, we really do not leave more and more opportunities and markets alone, “said A. Kubilius.
According to him, economic relations between China and Lithuania have been relatively small so far.
“I just had to visit Taiwan. It is necessary that Taiwan’s economy in terms of GDP per capita is significantly stronger than China’s and that is 20 million. a population-leading world high-tech economy.
The opportunities that we have … As they say, let’s be modest, but right – we haven’t had such opportunities so far, and we have had such opportunities in the Chinese market as well, “the former prime minister commented.
“We are in favor of Taiwan and China ever agreeing on the prospect of any future relationship, but I believe that this is only possible if China, someday, I hope it can, will turn to the development of a wider democracy. “, – continued A. Kubilius.
The politician also gave the example of Hong Kong.
“In this case, China’s threats that someone, somewhere not following the ‘one China’ principle, remind us that China itself, by declaring it to be a ‘one China-two system’, has shattered Hong Kong’s democratic, political system.” .
“China must be reminded that when it tries to blame others for not complying with some kind of agreement, it has committed a very serious and serious breach of its commitment to Britain,” he said.
Chinese diplomat: Lithuania is deafening China’s request for the name of the Taiwanese mission
Qu Baihua, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Lithuania, said on Wednesday that Lithuania was deaf to China’s request for a name for the Taiwanese mission and urged that the mistake be corrected.
“The name is a problem, we do not oppose business relations, but (…) Lithuania is deafening our request,” the diplomat told reporters at a press conference.
According to him, this issue has been discussed with Lithuanian representatives several times, but “no positive answer has been received” from the government representatives.
According to Q. Baihua, the opening of a representative office under this name violated the “one China” principle.
“We call on the Lithuanian government to acknowledge the mistake and not to underestimate the will and determination of the Chinese people to defend the country’s territorial integrity and national security,” said a spokesman for the embassy.
The diplomat said no country is able to offset the Chinese market, which is one of the largest in the world.
The Chinese diplomat explained that the removal of the ambassador is already a rare step, which shows that China does not agree with your statement.
“T that you have the opportunity to review and change decisions,” Q Bhua said.
Asked what would happen if Lithuania did not change its decision, Qu Baihua initially said that “there would be nothing”, but when asked, bilateral relations would not improve.
The Chinese embassy did not allow TV journalists and portals to film and broadcast the press conference.
The Taiwanese mission began operations
opened a Taiwanese representation in Vilnius for the first time.
Eric Huang has been appointed head of the Taipei office in Latvia.
The Taiwanese mission is presented as an office for the development of trade, economic and cultural relations, but it will also handle consular matters. The rulers emphasize that the mission does not have diplomatic status.
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 representation on behalf of the capital, Taipei, has established an international consensus that such a name does not contradict the “one China” policy of treating the Taiwanese island as a separate state.
In recent years, relations between Lithuania and China have steadily deteriorated. Lithuania has also withdrawn from the format of cooperation with China in Central and Eastern Europe 17 + 1.
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.
On Sunday, China announced that Beijing had officially lowered the requirements for diplomatic representation with Lithuania before dealing with the trustees.
This means that the ambassadors of China and Lithuania will no longer work in Vilnius and Beijing, and the diplomatic missions will be headed by lower-ranking diplomats – the trustees.
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