Taiwan denounces China for sanctioning Lithuanian minister, calls it 'bullying action'

Taiwan on Saturday denounced China for sanctioning Lithuania's Deputy Minister of Transport, Agne Vaiciukeviciute after Lithuanian delegation me US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi-style Taiwan visit. Labelling move as a "bullying action", Taiwan said that China is indulging in groundless behaviour after minister Vaiciukeviciute arrived in Taipei on August 7 for a five-day tour. Lithuania and Taiwan pledged bolstering ties and future cooperation.

Beijing, however, slammed Baltic nation for what it described as "undermining mainland's sovereignty and territorial integrity." It reminded Republic of Lithuania's undertaken obligation to not establish official relations or engage in official contact with Taiwan, and recognise that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory under 'One China' policy.

"In response to egregious and provocative act of Vaiciukeviciute, China decides to opt sanctions on Vaiciukeviciute, to suspend all forms of exchange with Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, and to suspend exchange and cooperation with Lithuania in field of international ro transport," PRC's ministry of foreign affairs noted in a statement issued subsequently after Lithuanian minister's visit. 

Lithuania side 'repeatedly breaks promises, which is blatant breach of faith': PRC

After Beijing sanctioned Lithuania's Ministry of Transport and Communications, she expressed regret over PRC's decision to suspend cooperation with Lithuania in field of international ro transport. "Lithuania chooses to cooperate with countries willing to cooperate with us," Vaiciukeviciute told a news conference in Taipei.

She later iterated that her tour was planned months ahe and that it involved normal bilateral exchanges and cooperation between two ally nations. Lithuania's Ministry of Transport and Communications was baffled at China's retaliatory measure. It is to be noted that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) also resorted to ceasing all channels of bilateral communications with Baltic republic's ministry and cooperation on international ro transport. Lithuanian side "repeatedly breaks its promises, which is a blatant breach of faith," said China's foreign ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a presser. 

"China strongly condemns Lithuanian anti-China forces for ir deliberate violation of China's sovereignty and gross interference in China's internal affairs," Wang asserted. 

Ties between Lithuania and China soured since Baltic nation ignored Beijing's strong objection and repeated dissuasion against maintaining ties with self-ministered island nation and opened so-called “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania." China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian h repeatedly warned Lithuania of 'undisclosed retaliatory measures' for opening  De facto embassy in Vilnius despite mainland's opposition. Zhao h iterated what measures China will take, Lithuania shall “wait and see” when asked by a reporter about China’s response with respect to development. Lijian accused Lithuania of flagrantly violating  One-China principle, and renouncing  political commitment me by Lithuania in communiqué on establishment of diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China.