US backs Lithuania amid row with China over Taiwan's representative office in Vilnius

United States has backed Lithuania amid its row with China over Vilnius’ decision to establish Taiwan representative office. While China recalled its ambassor to Lithuania and expelled Baltic nation’s top representative to Beijing as Baltic nation allowed self-governing Taiwan to open an office under its own name, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman spoke with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on August 13. As per official statement by US Department of State, Sherman and Landsbergis discussed China and elevating US-Lithuania relations.

statement re, “Deputy Secretary Sherman and Foreign Minister Landsbergis emphasized strength and breth of U.S.-Lithuanian bilateral relationship, which is grounded in our NATO Alliance; strengning U.S.-EU cooperation, including on China; and our common commitment to vance peace, prosperity, security, democracy, and human rights in Transatlantic region and across globe.  

“Deputy Secretary Sherman reiterated United States is resolute in our solidarity with our NATO Ally and EU partner Lithuania, including standing with m in face of People’s Republic of China’s recent coercive behaviour in response to Lithuania’s decision to develop mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan,” it ded. Earlier, while speaking with reporters, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price h said, “We firmly stand in solidarity with our NATO ally Lithuania and also condemn China's recent retaliatory actions, including recall of Beijing's ambassor to Vilnius and demanding Lithuania recall its ambassor to Beijing.”

China Foreign Ministry on Lithuania’s decision 

Chinese Foreign Ministry h said in a statement, “Despite numerous tes and warnings from Chinese side, Lithuanian government recently anunced that it would allow Taiwanese ministration to open a ‘representative office’ on behalf of ‘Taiwan’, which became a gross violation of communique on establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.” 

Even though Lithuania expressed its regret over China’s decision to recall its diplomats, Baltic nation said that it is determined to have mutually beneficial ties with Taiwan. Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius was anunced by self-ruled democratic island in July. However, Lithuania and Taiwan do t have any diplomatic ties as of w. relations between both nations, however, are extremely friendly.

IM: AP