China has officially downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the rank of "
charge d'affaires,
" the foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The cause ?
A sign of protest, after Taiwan established a de facto embassy in Vilnius.
It is thus for Beijing to "
safeguard its sovereignty and the fundamental standards of international relations
", indicated the ministry in a press release.
Read alsoThe United States supports Lithuania against Beijing
Lithuania's use of the term “
Taiwan representative office
” is a significant diplomatic gap that has challenged a lobbying campaign by China to isolate the autonomous democratic island on the international stage. Lithuania, according to Beijing, has thus "
abandoned the political commitment made during the establishment of diplomatic relations
" with China, in reference to the "
one-China policy
", according to which the countries officially recognize the Chinese government. rather than Taiwan's. "
The Lithuanian government must assume all the consequences that result from it,
" added the Chinese government, adding that its actions "
have set a bad precedent on the international stage
”.
Lithuania "
regrets
" China's decision, reacted the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.
"
Lithuania reaffirms its adherence to the 'One China
' policy, but at the same time has the right to extend its cooperation with Taiwan", including through the establishment of non-diplomatic missions, he said in a statement. communicated.
Only 15 countries officially recognize Taipei compared to Beijing, which claims the autonomous democratic island as part of its territory and has vowed to recapture it one day, by force if necessary.
