Lithuania Urges Communist China To Revoke Sanctions On Official’s Taiwan Visit

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said on August 18, it had issued a formal protest to the Communist China over the sanctions imposed on the country’s deputy transport minister, demanding the restrictions to be rescinded.

 The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s foreign ministry announced on August 12 that it had imposed sanctions on Lithuania’s Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Agne Vaiciukeviciute for his visit to Taiwan, suspended its engagement with Vaiciukeviciute ‘s ministry and cooperation in the field of transportation between the Communist China and Lithuania.

 The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China’s unilateral decision was unjustified, it violated international law and Lithuania’s sovereignty, and demanded the Communist China to rescind this move.

 The CCP has consistently claimed self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and opposed visits to the island by foreign politicians, while Taiwan rejects the Communist China’s claims.

 The Communist China-Lithuania relations have nosedived after the Baltic nation allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in its capital Vilnius last year. The Communist China retaliated by downgrading its diplomatic ties with Lithuania and forcing multinational companies to cut ties with the Baltic nation of 2.8 million people.

 Taiwanese and Lithuanian flags pictured at the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius, Lithuania on January 20. (Photo Source: cnn.com)

 The European Union launched a lawsuit at the WTO in January, accusing China of discriminatory trade practices against Lithuania, saying it threatened the integrity of the single market.

 The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Taiwan have supported the EU’s stance.