China lowers diplomatic ties with Lithuania over Taiwan embassy

China has lowered its diplomatic ties with Lithuania after the latter allowed Taiwan to open its de facto embassy.

Lithuania, a sovereign state, had to defend its decision by saying it has the right to have ties with Taiwan. Although, Lithuania did say that it respects CCP-controlled Beijing’s “One China” policy.

Taiwan, which sees itself as a sovereign state is considered as a breakaway province by Beijing.

The new Taiwanese office in Lithuania does not amount to official diplomatic relations between the two countries, but does signal towards that direction.

The new office has the name “Taiwan,” instead of the usual “Chinese Taipei” coerced by Beijing’s economic blackmail.

The move was (obviously) criticized by China’s foreign ministry, which claimed that it had “undermined” China’s sovereignty and integrity. The ministry added that the move has started a “bad” international precedent.

China has now reduced its diplomatic engagement with Lithuania to chargé d’affaires instead of ambassadorship. Lithuania’s Prime Minister had to defend the decision after China’s verbal attacks.

In a statement, she said her country wants an intense economic relationship with Taiwan. However, she added that it doesn’t mean Lithuania disagrees with the “One China” policy.

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Beijing fears that the precedent set by Lithuania will encourage more EU countries to recognize Taiwan and end its blackmailing tactics.

In order to stop countries from supporting Hong Kong, Taiwan, and more recently the Wuhan lab leak investigations, China like always started its economic coercion.

It tried to blackmail Australia with tactics used in Africa and poorer countries, but failed. Now it’s trying the same with Lithuania, but China knows that its position with Lithuania is very limited since it would be threatening its trade throughout Europe.

China is still stopping itself from using undiplomatic language against Lithuania, like it does with Australia. Only time will tell whether it uses words like “dog” against Lithuania and other European countries.