China views self-governing and democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, with no right to a state net, and has pressured countries to downgrade or end their ties with the island. Do it, even the non-official ones.
Beijing had already expressed anger that Lithuania – which has formal ties with China and not Taiwan – allowed Taiwan to open its office in the country, and in August recalled its ambassador.
Taiwan’s representative office in Lithuania opened on Thursday. Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name Taipei city, avoiding references to the island, something that has further angered Beijing.
China’s foreign ministry said in a stern statement that Lithuania ignored China’s “serious stand” and basic norms of international relations in allowing Taiwan to set up its representative office in Lithuania.
The move “undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs,” it said, setting “a bad precedent at the international level”, adding that the ties were downgraded to the level of Charge d’Affaires. which is a notch below Ambassador.
“We urge the Lithuanian side to immediately correct our mistakes and not underestimate the determination and determination of the Chinese people to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The ministry said that no matter what Taiwan does, it cannot change the fact that it is part of China.
Taiwan maintains that it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name, and that the People’s Republic of China has never ruled it and has no right to speak for it.
Taiwan has been pleased with increasing international support in the face of military and diplomatic pressure from China, especially the United States and some of its allies.
Washington has offered Vilnius support in the face of Chinese pressure, and Lithuania will sign a $600 million export credit deal with the US Export-Import Bank this week.
Only 15 countries have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Taipei could lose another ally to Beijing after the Honduran presidential election later this month, where a candidate backed by the main opposition parties is leading in opinion polls.
If elected, Xiomara Castro has vowed to establish official relations with China.
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