Editorial | Beijing has bigger EU picture in mind with action over Lithuania
- Reduced ties with Vilnius in the row over Taiwan will keep the door open to fully restore them in the event of improved relations and raise hopes of key investment deal with economic bloc
Downgrading diplomatic ties is just a step short of severing them altogether. This is a measure of Beijing’s anger with the Baltic state of Lithuania over allowing Taiwan to open a representative office under the name Taiwan, and then opening its own in Taipei.
The planned move had already prompted Beijing to recall its ambassador and demand withdrawal of Vilnius’ envoy. Now it is permanently reducing its presence to charge d’affaires.
Though it is very rare, the downgrading should not come as a surprise. Lithuania insists that “non-diplomatic relations” with Taiwan do not breach the one-China principle. But Beijing made it clear they cut across its red lines.
That said, the downgrading rather than severing of ties is intriguing. Far more important are relations with the European Union, of which Lithuania is a small part.
As a result, European politicians – rather than governments – have stalled ratification of a comprehensive investment agreement with China over sanctions on EU officials in retaliation for those on Chinese officials.