Baltic Countries Quit China-Led East European Bloc Despite Retaliation From Beijing

People take part in a human chain protest in support of the Hong Kong Way, a recreation of a pro-democracy "Baltic Way" protest against Soviet rule three decades ago, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Aug. 23, 2019. Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images

Following Lithuania’s departure from an East Europe forum led by China in May 2021, Latvia and Estonia announced last week that they’re also leaving the bloc.

Experts point out that the Baltic countries’ departure from China’s “17+1” bloc is a serious blow to the regime’s aggressive international relations in Europe.