Lithuania needs stronger support against China, claim analysts and media

Vilnius / Beijing – Last November, Taiwan opened its diplomatic office in Lithuania. Upset by the incident, China has stepped up its efforts to corner Lithuania. Moreover, analysts and the media have claimed that Western countries should strongly support and cooperate with Lithuania against the backdrop of China’s actions. A few days ago, it was reported that the US and European foreign ministers also discussed the issue.

Taiwan and Lithuania had officially announced a diplomatic office set up in July. In November, China started aggressive moves against the de facto embassy in Lithuania under the name of The Taiwanese Representative Office. China has recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and expelled Lithuanian ambassadors. The diplomats from the Lithuanian embassy have been asked to surrender their identity cards and indications have been given that their security will be withdrawn. Undeclared sanctions have been imposed on the products imported from Lithuania. Cargo train service from China to Lithuania has been suspended.

This has been followed by pressure on European companies operating in Lithuania and warnings that they will lose business in China. Against this backdrop, analysts say the United States and the European Union need to provide more assistance to Lithuania and take an aggressive stance against China. Dov Zakheim, a consultant at the ‘Center for Strategic and International Studies’, says concrete action is needed, not just verbal support. Zakheim suggested that changing the name of Taiwan’s office in the United States could be one of the actions.

The Hongkong Post has said in an article that the United States and European countries must show solidarity on the issue of Lithuania and take a stand against China’s aggression.