China protests Taiwan Speaker's Lithuania visit; asks Vilnius to 'not send wrong signal'

China on Friday slammed Taiwan for a delegation visit to Lithuania, saying it breached Vilnius' commitment to One-China Policy. In a statement, Beijing's charge d'affaires in Lithuania said, "China expressed strongest protest over rand firm objection to this." Chinese envoy to Vilnius went on to ask Lithuania to here to its recognition of One-China Policy and "not send wrong signal" to Taipei's "separatist forces".

"Lithuania, in disregard of overall interests of China-Lithuania relations, insists on inviting You Si-kun, a notorious “Taiwan independence” separatist, to visit Lithuania, which seriously violates China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and recklessly tramples on international law and basic norms governing international relations. China expresses its strong protest over and firm objection to this," Office of Chargé d'Affaires of China in Lithuania said in a statement.

It is pertinent to mention that Lithuania identifies One-China Policy, under which Beijing considers Taiwan as "an inalienable part" of China. China's President Xi Jinping has vowed to take back South East Asian island ideally by "peaceful resolution" but also has warned of asserting military pressure if required. And China disses all Western states that support Taiwan as a nation, especially US, which has strong bilateral relations with Taipei.

Despite China's opposition to Taiwan's international recognition as an 'independent' country, Lithuania and Taipei have been developing economic and cultural relations since 2021. Vilnius last year allowed opening of Taiwan's de facto embassy in European Union nation, giving a breakthrough to Taipei on international platform. move expectedly infuriated Beijing, resulting in a sharp jibe against Lithuania, furr downgring EU's relations by blocking its exports.

China warns 'military action' if US lawmaker visits Taiwan

Irate China on Friday warned of "military action" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. A Financial Times (FT) report on July 19 said that Pelosi is mulling a Taiwan visit by end of this month. Taking a note of same, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian during a presser said US must face "consequences" if American lawmaker visited Taipei, effectively defying three US-China communique that confirm Washington's commitment to One China Policy.

" US must not arrange for Speaker Pelosi to visit Taiwan region and must stop official interactions with Taiwan, stop creating factors that could le to tensions in Taiwan Strait, and follow through on US commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence,” Zhao said.

Chinese official ded that Beijing will be provoked to take "resolute measures" to hinder Pelosi's visit, ding that Washington "must assume full responsibility for any ensuing consequences."

To note, Pelosi's visit will be first such by US House Speaker in 25 years.

(Image: AP)