China recalls its envoy from Lithuania in row over Taiwan

By Jeyhun Aliyev and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – China on Tuesday recalled its ambassador from Lithuania, alleging that the Baltic nation has shown “disregard” to Beijing’s “repeated representations” regarding Taiwan.

Lithuania, which is a member of EU and NATO, had recently allowed Taiwan, which China considers its “breakaway province,” to open the "Taiwanese Representative Office" in the country, the first office in Europe to be called Taiwanese.

“The decision severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Expressing “categorical opposition" to the move," Beijing, which had already denounced the decision, also demanded the Lithuanian government to recall its ambassador to China.

“There is only one China in the world and the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,” the statement said.

“The one-China principle is a widely recognized norm of international relations and common consensus of the international community. It is the political foundation for China to develop bilateral relations with other countries."

In response, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said it regretted Beijing's move, and reiterated that it is determined to pursue "mutually beneficial ties" with Taiwan while respecting the one-China principle.

Taiwan insists it has been independent since 1949, and has established independent diplomatic relations with at least 16 nations.

Lithuania has been moving closer to Taiwan, and also plans to open its trade representative office there by the end of the year. Last month, it donated 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the island.