China Suspends Exchanges with Lithuania's Ministry of Transport... "Reason for Vice Minister's Visit to Taiwan"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] China announced on the 12th that it will sanction the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, who visited Taiwan, and suspend exchanges with the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

In a spokesperson's statement released on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on the same day, China emphasized that Agn? Vaiciukevi?i?t?, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, who recently visited Taiwan, "trampled on the One-China principle, interfered in China's internal affairs, and damaged China's sovereignty and territorial integrity." It added, "In response to this provocative behavior, China will impose sanctions on Vaiciukevi?i?t? and temporarily suspend all forms of exchanges with the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications, as well as exchanges and cooperation with Lithuania in the international road and transportation sectors."

The delegation led by Deputy Minister Vaiciukevi?i?t? visited Taiwan on the 7th, during China's military exercises encircling Taiwan in response to the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. During this period, they sought to strengthen strategic cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan in advanced transportation and communication fields such as electric buses and 5th generation mobile communications (5G).

Lithuania gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and joined the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004. The current Lithuanian government, which succeeded in re-election in last October's presidential election, has taken successive measures supporting Taiwan and confronting China. Recently, while many European countries remained silent about Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Lithuania officially expressed its support.