„It is well-known that Lithuania's misguided actions on Taiwan are the root cause of the difficulties in Chinese-Lithuanian relations,“ Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was quoted as saying by chinadaily.com.
ELTA recalls that Prime Minister-designate Paluckas has said that the future Government would not oppose improving diplomatic relations with China and returning the Lithuanian ambassador to Beijing.
„If China decides to send its ambassador, we will certainly not oppose it. And we can send our ambassador and re-establish diplomatic relations at that level. We do not foresee any exceptional concessions or anything in the new Government“, Paluckas told reporters after hinting at the prospects of improving relations with Beijing.
However, when the Seimas discussed Paluckas' candidacy for Prime Minister, the politician softened his stance and pointed out that Lithuania's relationship with China „will not be easy“, as Europe will have to fight for its interests in a competitive battle with Beijing.
„That relationship will certainly be bumpy in the future, not only because of some choices made by one country or the other but because natural economic processes also order certain dynamics. Therefore, as far as our country's position is concerned, I doubt whether it can change on this issue“, the Social Democrat said from the rostrum of the Seimas.
With the opening of the Taiwanese mission in Lithuania at the end of 2021, relations between Vilnius and Beijing have become much more tense. China imposed tough diplomatic and economic sanctions. In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially changed the level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania from ambassador to temporary charge d'affaires.
Tensions in bilateral relations have been present since Lithuania withdrew from the 17+1 cooperation format with China. At that time, the Head of the country's diplomacy, Gabrielius Landsbergis, urged other EU countries to follow Lithuania's example. However, only neighbouring Estonia and Latvia followed Vilnius' example.
