Thread by @fbermingham

Spent yesterday speaking to Lithuanian politicians about the diplomatic row with China.

Report here.

scmp.com/news/china/art…

For some there was resolve not to allow the recall of China's ambassador to intimidate Vilnius.

“We don’t respond well to threats. We survived a Communist regime for over half a century, we won't allow China or Belarus or Russia to somehow dictate that,” said @DSakaliene

Chair of the foreign affairs committee @ZygisPavilionis accused China of "double standards"

"We want mutual respect. We have the same rights as Germans, French, Italians, Belgium or Dutch. If they develop their economic relations with Taiwan, they seek the respect from China"

The issue for China is that other countries usually permit "Taipei" rep offices, whereas Lithuania has gone for the full "Taiwan". The EU says this does not contravene its one China policy, China says it does.

Shadow foreign minister said Lithuania needs to be more diplomatic in dealing with China.

"We have the right to host any representation, as long as its not 'diplomatic'. But, the option should have been found to suit all sides. Taipei Rep Office sounds good to me."

Looking at Chinese customs data, quite clear Lithuania feels no economic threat.

Lithuania’s trade deficit with China ballooned by 33% over the first half of 2021 to $820.7 million. Its exports to China were actually 4 per cent lower in the first 6 months of this year than H120

But note the not-so-veiled threat in Global Times

"Lithuania will pay the price for radical moves on the Taiwan question"

globaltimes.cn/page/202108/12…

+Wang Yiwei to my colleague:

"The next step will be to cut ties if Lithuania is to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan"