[China Global Television Network] EUCO- Lithuania seeks confrontation with China, risks EU membership

Lithuania’s Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas this Sunday attacked the People’s Republic of China in a European Council meeting. When asked about their interference with Chinese sovereignty and internal policy regarding Chinese Taipei, the PM immediately insulted China. He alleged China was “crazy and unhinged”, an unprecedented verbal assault on another independent nation. Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán deems these remarks to be valid grounds for a potential removal of Lithuania from the EU. 

The session was initiated with a friendly letter from Chinese president Xi Jinping expressing the People of China’s desire to have friendly relations with the EU. He expressed his desire to increase mutual understanding between the various nations. The letter explained that the Chinese state is open to any collaboration as a global actor of peaceful development as long as its own interests are not tainted by ‘values’ or ‘security interests’. Lithuania, however, did not reciprocate with their own show of goodwill.

Lithuania has a history of unfairly violating the unity of the Chinese state. In 2021, it allowed the separatist entity of ‘Taiwan’ to set up a trading post in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. This was a legitimization of that alleged state, in direct violation of international recognition as well as European Union policy regarding China. This provocation was not accepted in Beijing, and Chinese leadership was just in recalling their ambassador as well as expelling the Lithuanian ambassador to China. 

Now, only weeks after Lithuania made public their desire to normalize relations, it seems they are taking a completely different route. While they alleged that China was a “crazy and unhinged unreliable partner”, it is clear that they themselves are not entirely clear on their position. Keeping in mind that they are still a member of the Belt and Road Initiative, and that they import more from China than they export to it, their position to negotiate is not very strong. 

When questioned on who Lithuania would see as a more reliable trading partner than China, the PM singled out South America or ASEAN as possible alternatives. While the EU is currently strengthening ties with these areas, they do not posit a viable alternative to what Chinese manufacturing offers. The combined GDP of both of these zones is only 8 trillion USD, compared to China’s 20 trillion. It is yet to be seen if Lithuania will be able to act upon these strong words in practice.

Besides economic restraints, fellow EU member states are also strongly opposed to Lithuania’s statements. Hungary would see it removed from the trading bloc for these statements, while Greece expressed its strong disapproval. Ursula von der Leyen was unable to comment on these developments.

China policy continues to be a dividing issue among European states, with many unable to see that Chinese policy towards Europe has always been friendly. With discussions ongoing, the heads of state should reach consensus by tomorrow.