Chinese authorities on Tuesday called on the Lithuanian government to reverse as soon as possible its recent moves to strengthen trade relations with Taiwan and stressed the importance of Vilnius adhering to the ‘one China’ principle by which the Asian giant governs the territory.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned that it is important to «act prudently» in relation to Taiwan, a sensitive issue for China’s domestic policy. He said that Lithuania should maintain and preserve «its bilateral relationship with China», according to the South China Morning Post.
His words come a day after the Lithuanian authorities have proceeded to open their trade office in Taiwan as relations with China worsen due to the rapprochement between the government and the authorities of the island.
Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite on Monday applauded the «achievements made in cooperation with Taiwan» and said she had «no doubt that with this decision work with this promising market will intensify.»
However, the move has led to increased tension with China and comes a year after Taipei opened a similar office in the Lithuanian capital, something that has been sharply criticized from Beijing.
In response, Chinese authorities downgraded bilateral relations with Lithuania and imposed trade sanctions against the country, which also benefits from Taiwanese investment in its territory.
Earlier Tuesday, Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said the Vilnius decision was a «milestone» for relations between the parties. «Taiwan and Lithuania are partners who fight against authoritarianism and share not only universal values of democracy and freedom but challenges such as recovery from the pandemic and war in Ukraine,» she said.
«With authoritarian countries using trade sanctions as a tool to threaten others, it will be useful for both of us to work together to find ways to achieve the desired economic development and secure the supply chain in a democratic world,» he concluded.
