Mon Dec 02 07:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Lithuania Expels Three Chinese Diplomats Amid Strained Relations

Vilnius, Lithuania – Lithuania expelled three Chinese diplomats on Friday, escalating tensions with Beijing despite the incoming prime minister’s openness to mending ties. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry cited violations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Lithuanian law, without providing specifics. The diplomats, lacking proper credentials, were given one week to leave the country.

While the head of the Lithuanian parliamentary foreign affairs committee stated the expulsion was a procedural matter unrelated to espionage, the move comes amidst already strained relations. These tensions stem from Lithuania’s 2021 decision to allow Taiwan to open a representative office under the name “Taiwan” in Vilnius, prompting Beijing to recall its ambassador and impose trade sanctions (later lifted in November 2022).

Adding to the complexity, the recent damage to two subsea cables in the Baltic Sea – one connecting Finland and Germany, the other Sweden and Lithuania – is raising concerns. A Chinese cargo ship, the “Ypeng 3,” was reportedly in the vicinity at the time of the damage. Lithuania, Sweden, and Finland are jointly investigating, with Sweden formally requesting cooperation from China, which has expressed willingness to participate.

Despite the escalating diplomatic tensions, Lithuania’s incoming Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has indicated a willingness to restore diplomatic relations with China through an exchange of diplomats, while maintaining economic and trade ties with Taiwan. However, China maintains that Lithuania’s actions regarding Taiwan are the root cause of the strained relationship.

Read More