Beijing hopes to get relations with Lithuania back on track: door to dialogue is open

VILNIUS - China said on Friday it hopes to get relations with Lithuania back on track, adding that the door to dialogue is always open.

"The door to dialogue is always open, and China is ready to strengthen communication and exchanges with Lithuania on the basis of respect and common approach, and to seek ways to overcome the current situation while respecting the 'one China' principle," Fang Mei, Counselor of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, was quoted as saying in a commentary circulated to the media.

"We do not lose confidence in China-Lithuania relations and sincerely hope that they will get back on track," the commentary said.

China's comments come days before the European Commission is due to decide whether to pursue its case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on economic coercion against Lithuania.

The new Lithuanian government has announced its intention to re-establish diplomatic representation with Beijing, but stressed that it would not make political concessions.

Following the opening of the Taiwanese Representative Office in the Lithuanian capital as part of Vilnius' efforts to deepen ties with Taiwan, China in 2021 downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania and, according to Vilnius, imposed trade restrictions.

Brussels brought the matter to the WTO in early 2022 but requested a temporary suspension of the case in late January 2023.

The EU's executive body said at the time that this was a procedural step taken for technical reasons.

According to the WTO, if the suspension lasts longer than 12 months, the proceedings will be closed altogether. The deadline is set to expire soon.