The European Union should cancel a planned summit with China until Beijing unambiguously makes a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a Lithuanian deputy foreign minister has told Reuters, adding that this position was not universally shared across the block.
The EU plans to hold a top-level meeting with China on April 1, according to Reuters.
“In our assessment, it is very ill-timed. In view of recent developments, it should be called off or at least postponed significantly until we see which side China is on,” Mantas Adomėnas told the news agency on Wednesday.
“It is the time to show China that we mean business – that they cannot expect to occupy this ambiguous role, on one hand supporting Russia, on one hand using trading opportunities with the West, European Union, and expect no consequences,” he continued.
However, Deputy Foreign Minister Adomėnas added, Vilnius had “a lot of persuasion to do” to convince other EU member states to call off the summit with China.
Chines and Russian leaders met during the Beijing Olympic Games in February where they announced an upgraded “no limits” strategic partnership. Since then, Beijing has refused to term Moscow’s actions in Ukraine an invasion, although Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for “maximum restraint”.
“Certainly, if China joins in any way facilitating Russia’s military effort, assisting its military, there ought to be sanctions. We will be arguing for it,” Adomėnas told Reuters.
Tensions between Lithuania and China have been tense lately, following Vilnius’ decision to open a Taiwanese representative office last year. Beijing has accused the country of violating the so-called one China policy and recalled its ambassador from Vilnius. Lithuania has also said it was subject to China’s undeclared trade sanctions, something it says violates the World Trade Organization’s rules.
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