BEIJING, Nov 21 — China has decided to downgrade the diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of charge d’affaires, Xinhua news agency quoted the Chinese foreign ministry on Sunday.
According to a statement released on the Foreign Ministry’s website, on Nov 18, Lithuania, in disregard of China’s strong protest and repeated representations, allowed the Taiwan authorities to set up a “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania.”
This act openly creates the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan” in the world, renounces the political commitment made by Lithuania in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs.
“The Chinese side expresses its strong indignation and protest against this move, and decides to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the charge d’affaires level,” it said.
“We urge the Lithuanian side to immediately put right its mistake and not to underestimate the Chinese people’s strong resolve, will, and capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the statement.
