China sanctions Lithuanian deputy transport minister over Taiwan trip
- Beijing says visit undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Tensions compound and already stressed relationship between Beijing and Vilnius
The Chinese foreign ministry said the trip earlier this week by Agne Vaiciukeviciute “trampled on the one-China principle, seriously interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“In response to the bad and provocative behaviour of Vaiciukeviciute, China decided to take sanctions against Vaiciukeviciute, suspend any form of interaction with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and suspend exchange and cooperation with Lithuania on international road transport,” the ministry said.
On Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the Lithuanian delegation’s visit “deliberately infringing upon China’s sovereignty and grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs”, and China would “resolutely counter-attack”.
Vaiciukeviciute said in Taipei that Lithuania and Taiwan were “good friends”, and the delegation’s visit involved “cultural and economic exchanges”.
During the visit, the Lithuanian delegation met representatives from Taiwanese transport agencies and electric bus manufacturers “to explore the possibilities of collaboration in the electric bus, smart and green transport industries”.