China shows little interest in returning diplomatic representation - advisor

VILNIUS - China has so far shown little interest in returning to full diplomatic representation in its relations with Lithuania, a senior advisor to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says.

"The new Lithuanian government has said it would like to bring back diplomatic representation, which is quite normal, but again, this is a question of the attitude of the two countries," Asta Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Tuesday. "China must want the same. So far, China has not shown much interest here and until it does, the status quo will probably remain."

As BNS previously reported, China downgraded its diplomatic representation with Lithuania in 2021 and introduced trade restrictions after Lithuania started to forge closer relations with Taiwan and let it open a representative office in Vilnius,

Currently, the Chinese mission in Vilnius and the Lithuanian mission in Beijing are headed by chargé d'affaires, not ambassadors.

The European Commission has opened a case at the World Trade Organization over China's restrictions, but the dispute is stalled and, according to Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Palucas, could end in nothing.

Ina comment in January, Fang Mei, counselor at the Chinese mission to the EU, said: "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".