Lithuania, a small Baltic country, has been experiencing frequent discordant relations with China lately. From withdrawing from the "17+1 cooperation" to approving the establishment of a representative office in the name of "Taiwan" in Taiwan, to lowering the diplomatic hierarchy with China, Lithuania seems to be willing to break relations with China and challenge China's bottom line.
According to the latest news, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense recently proposed to amend the law to expand the ban on military personnel traveling to unfriendly countries and regions for non-official purposes, including China.
The Ministry of Defense said the ban was based on homeland security concerns. The new decree, which is expected to take effect in January next year, will prohibit military personnel from traveling to areas of unfriendly countries that have been clearly listed in advance unless they have official needs.
This action has aroused strong disgust and opposition from the Chinese side, which believes that it is an unwarranted slander and discrimination against China and has damaged mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries. So why is Lithuania taking such an action?What is its purpose and motivation?
Lithuania is a country with a long history and culture, and was once one of the largest countries in Europe, but it has also experienced the hardship of being invaded and ruled by foreign forces many times. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania was the first union republic to declare independence from the Soviet Union and the first Baltic state to join the European Union and NATO. Lithuania has always seen itself as part of Europe rather than a vassal of Russia, and is therefore sensitive and disgusted by any attempt to interfere with its sovereignty and autonomy.
Lithuania also has a strong sense of national pride and self-esteem, and is unwilling to submit to the pressure and threats of any great power, and even sometimes deliberately confronts it in order to show its independent and firm position. This kind of "anti-backbone" mentality makes Lithuania often show an attitude of not compromising, not giving in, and not bowing its head when dealing with foreign relations, especially when it comes to issues that it considers to be its core interests and values.
Lithuania's "anti-bone" mentality is also reflected in its closeness to and dependence on the United States. Lithuania considers the United States its most important ally and protector, its last line of defense against Russia and other threats, and its best partner for European integration and democratization.
Lithuania has aligned with the United States on many international issues, such as the Iraq war, the Ukraine crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue, the North Korean nuclear issue, the Syrian civil war, etc., all of which support US policies and propositions, and even sent troops to participate in US-led military operations.
Lithuania is also an important military base and partner of the United States in Europe, allowing the United States to deploy missile defense systems on its territory, deploy heavy troops on a rotational basis, hold joint military exercises and training, etc. Lithuania is also actively participating in the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" advocated by the United States, trying to expand its influence and interests in the Asian region and work with the United States to contain China's rise.
Relations between Lithuania and China have deteriorated and regressed significantly over the past few years. Lithuania has listed China as a threat in its homeland security report, supported the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong, condemned China's human rights problems in Xinjiang, withdrew from the "17+1 cooperation" mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European countries, allowed Taiwan to set up a representative office in the name of "Taiwan", downgraded diplomatic relations with China, and banned military personnel from going to China.
Lithuania's actions are aimed at catering to the will and interests of the United States, showing its loyalty and support to the United States, and hoping to obtain more assistance and protection from the United States, especially in the face of Russian pressure and threats, and needs the support and support of the United States.
In order to demonstrate its presence and influence in Europe and internationally, to show its leadership and contribution to upholding democracy and human rights, and to attract more attention and support, especially within the EU, Lithuania wants to be a member with voice and influence, rather than a small country that has been marginalized and ignored.
In order to establish closer economic, trade and scientific and technological cooperation with Taiwan, we will make use of Taiwan's advantages and technologies in semiconductors and other fields to enhance our competitiveness and innovation capabilities, increase our economic diversification and resilience, and reduce our dependence on and risks on the Chinese market.
Although Lithuania's series of "anti-China" actions may bring some short-term benefits and benefits, it will also bring more risks and consequences. Relations between Lithuania and China will deteriorate further, and China will take necessary countermeasures to exert greater diplomatic and economic pressure on Lithuania, weaken Lithuania's position and reputation in the international community, and affect Lithuania's interests and opportunities in the Chinese market. Lithuania plans to ban military personnel from traveling to China, Russia and other countries