Previously, Lithuania’s politicians stubbornly misjudged its relations with China. Now, disputes over the course of restoration efforts have caused chaos within Lithuanian politics. Recently, Lithuania’s hesitation and procrastination in dealing with issues related to Taiwan have also reflected the power struggles between two political forces within the country.
According to reports by the Lithuanian National Broadcasting Television on June 18, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ruggineėnė revealed that Lithuania is currently negotiating with China regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations. However, no concrete measures have been taken yet. Foreign Minister Budrys emphasized that any contact with China must remain low-key, so as to avoid public discussions from affecting the progress of negotiations. Gimasatas Paivilionis, the vice-chairman of the opposition party’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, was negative in his stance. He criticized the decision to allow China to establish an embassy without proper discussion, and further argued that this move would lower Lithuania’s national status. He also speculated that China might use this as leverage to put forward more conditions.
On the 17th, Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian Parliament, revealed to the media that Lithuania has agreed to the Chinese setting up of a temporary office in the country. “This may be considered a concession to China,” he said. This statement has not yet been confirmed by the Lithuanian government.
Lu Ji-nei on 18th of August responded to an interpellation in parliament stating that Lithuania was negotiating with China regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
She neither confirmed nor denied Motuzas’ statement regarding allowing China to establish an office.
She also emphasized that Lithuania does not seek to establish close relations with China, but diplomatic contacts will help resolve some practical bilateral issues, including the issue of exchanges between citizens from both countries.
Lithuania Prime Minister Ruggineine IC Photo
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated on the 18th that it could not confirm Motozas' claims. The ministry said in its statement that there is indeed ongoing dialogue between the two sides regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations and the conditions for the operation of diplomatic institutions. However, the process is still in a sensitive stage, and therefore the ministry cannot comment on specific details.
This statement states that Lithuania is currently negotiating with China regarding the certification and deployment conditions for diplomatic personnel of both countries. "Lithuania has put forward specific proposals to restore the activity of the diplomatic missions, and is willing to engage in dialogue within international legal framework, diplomatic conventions, and domestic laws.”
The department also emphasized its commitment to normalizing diplomatic relations with China, a goal shared by all other EU member states.
This is a complicated and time-consuming process that requires the joint efforts of both sides and mutual agreement. This department reiterates Lithuania's adherence to one principle: it does not recognize Taiwan as an independent region and has never established diplomatic relations with it, as stated in the Joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Lithuania signed in 1991.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budris also addressed Matusius's remarks during a parliamentary session.
But he stated that the government will not comment on the details or stages of the process to the outside world. He emphasized that the diplomatic efforts towards China must remain low-key.
We certainly hope for progress, but the way we achieve this goal is through low-key diplomacy. The more openly we discuss, the harder it will be to yield results." said Budris.
He also stated that the related work is being carried out within a confidentiality framework, and progress has been reported to the President, Prime Minister, and relevant leadership in Parliament. However, the specific details will not be made public.
Regarding Motuzas' statement, political divisions within Lithuania have further intensified.
Compared to the low-key and cautious approach of the Prime Minister and foreign affairs departments, Žygimantas Pavilionis, the vice chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, has a negative attitude. He not only criticized the government's efforts to restore relations with China, but also stated that allowing China to set up an embassy in Lithuania reduces Lithuania's status as a nation and was done without sufficient discussion by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Lithuanian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chairperson Gijmantsas Pavielionis - LRT Photo
This person claims that matters involving adjustments of diplomatic agencies should usually be coordinated through committees, but there is currently no consensus reached.
We did not devote all our energy to Washington, but focused on the main strategic rivals of the United States – China. He further stoked up controversy during an interview and claimed that China might put forth additional demands in negotiations, including the closure of related institutions in Taiwan.
Pavilionis belongs to the Union of Patriots – Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party. It is worth mentioning that when Lithuania allowed the Taiwanese authorities to establish so-called “representative offices” in 2021, it was a coalition government led by this party that was in power.
In addition, Pavilionis has long been regarded as one of the hardliners in Lithuania's political scene regarding relations with China. He often makes inappropriate remarks involving China's internal affairs in international settings, and at the beginning of this year, he led a delegation to visit Taiwan.
Since Lithuania allowed the establishment of a “Taiwan representative office” at the end of 2021, relations between Lithuania and Taiwan have deteriorated sharply. Reports indicate that there are no more Chinese diplomatic officials in Lithuania since May last year.
Lithuania's President Nauseda previously told media that, with the consent of China, there is a possibility of restoring diplomatic relations at the envoy level in Lithuania. However, the relevant arrangements still depend on the results of bilateral negotiations.
Lugnine in February said that allowing the Taiwanese side to establish a representative office under the name 'Taiwan' in Vilnius is a strategic mistake made by the country.
A survey conducted in March this year showed that most Lithuanians support changing the name of the so-called “Taiwan Representative Office” to “Taipei Representative Office” in order to improve relations with China. The results indicated that 58% of adult respondents were in favor of the change. Among them, 22% strongly supported the change, and 36% supported it to some extent. Only about a quarter of respondents expressed opposition, and nearly one-fifth had no opinion at all.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian once stated that China has repeatedly expressed its stance on neutral relations. The door to communication between the two parties remains open. It is hoped that the two parties will translate their willingness to improve bilateral relations into practical actions, correct their mistakes as soon as possible, return to the correct track of adhering to the one-China principle, and lay the groundwork for the normalization of neutral relations.
