China Downgrades Diplomatic Ties With Lithuania Over Taiwan

Staff outside the Taiwan Representative Office in Vilinius, Lithuania, on Nov. 18, 2021. Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP

China downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania on Nov. 21 after Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius.

Lithuania drew the wrath of the Chinese regime after allowing Taiwan to open an office using its own name in Vilnius this past summer. Beijing recalled its envoy from Lithuania in August and expelled the Lithuanian ambassador from China. The regime also reportedly has stopped issuing new export permits for Lithuanian food.