China Downgrades Lithuania Ties Over Taiwan Office

(Bloomberg) -- China downgraded ties with Lithuania to the level of charge d’affaires, after Taiwan opened a diplomatic office in the Baltic nation earlier this week.

Lithuania is “walking back on political promises” made in a communique for establishing diplomatic links with China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday.

The “One China” policy is the political basis of relations between the two countries and the establishment of Taiwan’s office sets a bad international precedent, the statement continued. “We urge Lithuania to immediately correct this mistake and not to underestimate the Chinese people’s strong determination and ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.

China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has repeatedly voiced opposition to countries engaging in official contact with Taipei and vowed to take countermeasures.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said it regrets China’s decision to downgrade diplomatic ties, reiterating that it respects the “One China” principle. The opening of Taiwan’s representative office in Lithuania is based on economic interests, the ministry said in a statement. Lithuania has “a right to expand relations with Taiwan” and to accept non-diplomatic offices for practical purposes of such relations, like in many other countries, it said.

Read more: 

• U.S. Welcomes Taiwan Move to Open Office in Lithuania
• Taiwan Opens Its Office in Lithuania Over China’s Protests

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