After Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia withdraw from China Cooperation Group over Taiwan issue

Following Lithuania, Baltic countries Latvia & Estonia on Thursday stepped back from China Cooperation Group, drawing massive flak from Beijing. coordinated move came amid growing Chinese aggression against Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit earlier this month. 

two European nations followed in footsteps of Lithuania, which irked China last year after permitting opening of de facto Taiwan embassy in Vilnius. decision infuriated Beijing, who dubbed attempt "erroneous" accusing country of violating its commitment to One-China Policy. 

For unversed, under One-China principle, Beijing considers Taiwan an alienated portion from mainland and hopes to reinstate Taipei under CCP governance. 

Meanwhile, as many as 9 more central and east European countries, including Croatia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are still part of Chinese arrangement. China-CEE was founded in 2012 in Budapest between Beijing and 14+1 or countries to promote cultural ties, education, and tourism. Reports also suggest that format is in line with extending relations to push CCP's brainchild Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI) to support areas of business, infrastructure, transportation, logistics, and bilateral ties. Summits were held in capitals of participants of China-CEE until Lithuania opted out of partnership in 2021. 

Estonia & Latvia to maintain 'constructive and pragmatic relations' with China

In a statement released by Estonia and Latvia, both sides mentioned that y will continue to maintain "constructive and pragmatic relations" with China despite withdrawal. However, y will carry on hering to international rules-based order and human rights. Latvian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that its cooperation with China-led group was "no longer in line with Riga's strategic objectives in current international environment," referring to growing Beijing's military aggression against Taiwan. 

China threatens 'stern retaliation' after Lithuanian delegation visits Taiwan

Amid ongoing hostilities between China and Taiwan, Chinese ministration on Thursday vehemently condemned a Lithuanian delegation's visit to island nation and threatened to take "stern retaliation measures." This came after a Lithuanian delegation led by country's Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaiciukeviciute arrived in Taiwan on August 7 for a five-day visit. "China strongly condemns Lithuanian anti-China forces for ir deliberate violation of China's sovereignty and gross interference in China's internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson WangWenbin stated, as per Xinhua news agency.

(Image: AP)