Provided a number of reasons to restore relations with China

More than four years ago, the only Taiwan dealership in the world opened in Vilnius. This step has been furious by China as this Taiwan sees its part and the mere commemoration of Taiwan as an attempt to attack China.

« China means strict contradiction with this extremely terrible act of Lithuania, » Zhao Lijian, a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in 2021.

The Chinese threatened to stumble upon Lithuania as a fly, canceled from the Lithuanian ambassadors, and Lithuania replied the same.

« As you know perfectly, diplomatic relations were humiliated by China’s side. If the Chinese side were to change the decision to change, I don’t think there would be a big problem, » said Ingrida Šimonytė, a Member of the Seimas (TS-LKD).

China was punished economically: it did not officially recognize it, but no longer promoted Lithuanian goods. Politicians then reassured that it was nothing.

« Not that significant. We export only 1 % of our exports to China, » said Aušrinė Armonaitė, the then Minister of Economics and Innovation.

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The Chinese were also paused by the issuance of visas to Lithuanians.

Tensions came all over Europe. The German industrial giants received hints that they would have problems if they were working with Lithuanians. It turned out that the confusion was the idea of ​​the then Conservative leader Gabriel Landsberg, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even the president was unaware of it, nor was it coordinated with foreign partners.

The current government proposes to thaw relations with China.

« In the simple way, if China sends its ambassador to the diplomatic mission, we send our own, » Paluck explained.

There are several reasons to restore normal relations with China.

« To have a diplomatic relationship at the same level, what all 26 European Union (EU) countries have. And not to stand out in this area, not to be the only country that is different, » said Saulius Skvernelis, Speaker of the Seimas.

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When Donald Trump, President of the United States (USA) (USA) began the Customs War, Europe can become the main market for China. According to the prime minister, the Chinese themselves need Lithuania.

« The voice of Lithuania in Europe is certainly not the last. Therefore, the Chinese are also interested in having diplomatic relations with us, » Paluck said.

Over four years, the economic restrictions on Chinese are diminished. Trading with China is already 80 percent. former level.

« Sometimes it talks about some billions of lost, markets have been lost. China has never been a significant export partner in Lithuania and has not even been in the first twenty, » said I. Šimonytė.

Chinese diplomats handed over what they demand from Lithuania a month ago.

« It was noted that Lithuania should follow one China principle, » said Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

So far, China has argued that Lithuania is violating the principle of one China because it allows Taiwan to act in Vilnius.

« I have repeatedly said – we are not going to make any discounts, apologies for reverences or the like, » the Prime Minister emphasized.

It is not planned to ask Taiwanese to call the representation in the name of its largest city, Taipei, as they do all over the world.

« Lithuania is not ready and is not considering changing the name of the trade representation in Vilnius or making some discounts, » Motuz said.

By the way, Lithuania calls the representation of trade, but not a diplomatic, because the diplomatic mission would mean political recognition of Taiwan. In this case, Lithuania would violate the agreement signed with China.

The reciprocal declaration between the Republic of Lithuania and the People’s Republic of China states that the Lithuanian Government undertakes not to establish official relations and to establish official contacts with Taiwan.

« Lithuania follows the principle of one China, as the Taiwan representation is not a diplomatic – it is a trade representation, » explained the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

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Taiwanese calls the representative office in Vilnius. During the pandemic, the visa to Taiwan had to be obtained through the representation. Visa issue is an essential function of the diplomatic mission.

« It’s just a commercial, economic representation, » Motuz said.

Taiwan promised to Lithuania an impressive economic partnership and share the secrets of his semiconductor.

« The promises and illusions that were due to Taiwan remained only illusions and promises, » Skvernel said.

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It is stated that trade with Taiwan is far from China.

« It takes speed because the economic, cultural, commercial benefits must be seen to all people, not a few exclusive, » said Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee.

The former government states that Lithuania must remain in the same way with Taiwan, not China, as the latter’s threat has only increased when Putin’s war against Ukraine began to support.

« The regions of democracy, India, the Pacific are very close to us, albeit geographically we are allocated for thousands of kilometers, » said Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, a Member of the Seimas (LRLS).

As trade with China almost recovered, the discount for the Chinese could be if Lithuania withdrew a claim for China for unlawful restrictions of trade.