China condemns Lithuania’s expulsion of 3 diplomats; says countermeasures possible

Beijing accuses Baltic state of violating one-China principle on Taiwan-related issues and damaging relations

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Relations between Beijing and Vilnius have worsened since 2021 when Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:08pm, 2 Dec 2024

Beijing said it could take countermeasures against Lithuania as it strongly condemned and protested over the decision by Vilnius to expel three Chinese diplomats.

The Chinese foreign ministry hit out at Lithuania on Monday, days after the Baltic country declared three staff members of the Chinese representative office to the country as personae non gratae, and required them to leave the country within a week.

In the Chinese statement, the ministry said Lithuania’s decision was “without any reason”, and that China “reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania”.

It also accused Lithuania of violating the one-China principle on Taiwan-related issues and deteriorating bilateral relations.

“China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations,” the ministry said in the statement.

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Taiwanese supporters queue up to buy Lithuanian rum held up by mainland China

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that is to be reunited, by force if necessary. Most nations, including Taiwan’s major backer the United States, do not recognise the self-ruled island as an independent country but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.