Lithuania has agreed to allow China to open a downgraded diplomatic representation – a charge d’affaires office – in the country, chair of the Seimas foreign affairs committee Remigijus Motuzas said on Wednesday.
“A certain step has already been taken, perhaps a slight bow to China. We know that the Chinese embassy left Lithuania; they proposed establishing a charge d'affaires office, but we refused. [...] Now, I am probably not revealing a big secret, as Lithuania has proposed that at the current stage, it agrees to establish that charge d'affaires office,” Motuzas told Žinių Radijas.
The diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Vilnius began in autumn 2021 when Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius. Beijing viewed this as support for Taiwan’s international status and downgraded diplomatic representation to the level of charge d’affaires, renaming its embassy in Lithuania accordingly.
In response to this change in status, Lithuania refused to issue new accreditations to Chinese diplomats seeking to work under this designation. As a result, no Chinese diplomats have remained in Lithuania since May last year.
According to Motuzas, an agreement has now been reached to provide consular assistance, a move the politician said has been welcomed by the country’s business representatives.
“Previously, we did not provide those services to Chinese citizens ourselves, protesting against the fact that the Chinese punished us in this way.
“Now, an agreement has been reached with some EU member states, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry has approved that Chinese citizens or our citizens living in mixed families who travel to Lithuania can obtain visas in Beijing and other Chinese cities,” Motuzas explained.
“Business is very happy about this because some Chinese specialists service certain companies or equipment and so on,” he added.
The ball for improving relations is now in China’s court, the parliamentarian said.
“Lithuania has made a proposal, made some concessions, and is currently waiting for a response from China,” Motuzas said.
Lithuania in talks with China on restoring diplomatic ties – PM
Lithuania is in talks with China on restoring diplomatic relations, but no concrete steps have been taken so far, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said later on Thursday.
“Talks are currently underway, and no specific actions are being taken today,” the prime minister told parliament in response to a question.
Ruginienė neither confirmed nor denied a statement by Motuzas that Lithuania had agreed to allow China to open a charge d'affaires office in Vilnius.
Ruginienė said the government was implementing its programme goal of restoring diplomatic representation with China to a level comparable to that of other European Union member states.
According to the prime minister, Lithuania was not seeking a close friendship with China, but diplomatic representation would help resolve practical bilateral issues, including the travel of citizens between the two countries.
No confirmation from Lithuanian MFA
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday afternoon it could not confirm claims that Vilnius had agreed to allow China to open a charge d’affaires office in the capital.
The ministry said that while a dialogue with China is underway regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations and the operating conditions of diplomatic missions, the process remains at a sensitive stage, precluding comments on specific details.
According to the ministry, talks are being held with the Chinese Foreign Ministry concerning the conditions and possibilities for accrediting diplomats in both Vilnius and Beijing.
“Lithuania has submitted concrete proposals for the restoration of diplomatic missions’ activities and remains open to dialogue, guided by international law, standard diplomatic practice and national legislation,” the ministry said.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasised its adherence to the government’s objective of seeking to normalise diplomatic relations with China to a level consistent with other European Union member states.
“This is a complex and time-consuming process that requires efforts and mutual agreement from both states. [...] The ministry emphasises that Lithuania adheres to the One China policy, does not recognise Taiwan’s independence, and has not established diplomatic relations with it, as provided for in the 1991 joint statement with China,” the ministry added.
FM urges discretion
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys spoke out against publicly discussing the moves that Lithuania was taking.
“Yes, we are seeking for it [progress in relations] to happen,” he told reporters at the parliament.
“We want to restore diplomatic cooperation with China, and the way we do that is through discreet diplomacy. The more public discussion we have about it, the more difficult it becomes to achieve anything discreetly,” Budrys said.
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