How China’s economic coercion unites Lithuania and Australia – a diplomat
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis flew to Australia this week for his new country’s embassy in Canberra. The trip should be a regular visit to cut the ribbon, shake hands with Australian politicians, diplomats and businessmen, with Lithuanian communities. However, in recent weeks, the trip has become much more important, because the Australians are particularly interested in the ongoing disputes in Lithuania.
Last year, Beijing fell out with Lithuania Allowed Taiwan will open a representative office in Vilnius using the name “Taiwan” (instead of the agreement to use “Taipei”). In response to this insult, China reduced diplomatic relations with Lithuania, forcing Vilnius to return its diplomat from China, and introduced an effective trade embargo on Lithuanian goods.
Since China accounts for only about 1 percent of Lithuania’s exports, Beijing felt the need to find additional ones to punish the country. He did this by targeting European companies that use Lithuanian labor and extended punishment to other European countries for associating with Lithuania. It seems that Beijing believes that the European Union (EU) will pressure Lithuania to apologize to China, and Taiwan will be forced to rename its representative office under conditions acceptable to Beijing.
But that’s not what happened. Instead of the European Union released A case has been filed against China at the World Trade Organization. The European Union claims China’s behavior is illegal under WTO rules. Complaints against China include unfair and investment practices, refusal to clear Lithuanian goods through Chinese customs, refusal of Lithuanian import orders, interference in the EU’s common market and supply chains by targeting Lithuanian content.
Although Australia is not obviously a party to the conflict, it is nonetheless Request Must be included in the WTO consultation process. Australia says that while it too has been the target of China’s attempts at economic coercion, it has important consultations in the process. In addition, Australia believes that this is a global trend that requires strict rules from the World Trade Organization to make it clear to China that its use of these methods is not acceptable.
But beyond the complexities of WTO rules, Australia’s view is that collective resistance to China’s behavior is the best way to ensure Beijing does not achieve its goals. If China is able to intimidate countries like Lithuania – or even the European Union – economic coercion will become a natural tool of international diplomacy, which others may seek to emulate.
in interview With an Australian financial audit before coming to Australia, Landsberg expressed a similar belief, noting that “we are seeing the world that was built after World War II, which was based on internationally agreed rules and regulations, being challenged by countries that want to change—the world order. because of the existing world order.
Noting that both Australia and Lithuania have been hit hard by China’s attempts at economic coercion, Landsbergis added, looking forward to a meeting with senior Australian cabinet members. “It would be very good to share notes on how we handled the situation, what we learned, how to come out of it stronger, how we can help each other… Although we are geographically far away, the experiences are comparable. I think there’s a lot of camaraderie and common spirit.”
The hope was given to extend this common spirit Paid The United States, the United Kingdom and Taiwan also to join the WTO consultation process on the EU case against China. This shows that there are countries that look at China with suspicion and seek a strong position against their opposition.
But the episode also reveals that China’s aggression continues Reverse. Before the conflict with Lithuania, Australia and Lithuania were two countries that had nothing to do with each other. Lithuania is Australia’s seventy-fifth trading partner with mutual trade Values Just over 100 million Until Landsberg is renovated Lithuanian consulate in Canberra next to the embassy, Australia doesn’t even have an embassy in Lithuania. The Australian Embassy in Poland deals with its limited interests in Lithuania.
Landsberg is now involved in high-level talks with Australia’s foreign and defense ministers; He will be given the opportunity to apply to the prestigious National Press Club (It is broadcast live by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and will be publicly staged across Canberra as the champion. Australian-Lithuanian ties will strengthen, while China’s attempts to isolate the country will backfire.