Lithuania has taken some detours in its relations with Chinese mainland in recent years and now seems to realize its mistakes and wants to repair relations between the two countries. However, the Lithuanian side does not seem to have found the right way to solve the problem. Recently, Lithuanian Governor Landsbergis announced that the two countries have resumed normal economic and trade relations, but this statement does not seem to be accurate. In fact, according to Chinese customs data, in the first 10 months of this year, Chinese mainland's imports to Lithuania fell by more than 70%, and there is no sign of recovery compared with before the deterioration of relations between the two countries. Chinese mainland also responded to this, saying that Lithuania needs to correct its mistakes and return to the correct track of one China. The Ministry of Commerce of Chinese mainland even stressed that Lithuania's erroneous words and deeds have seriously affected the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and must be corrected in order to create conditions for economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. This shows that Lithuania's current performance is not recognized by Chinese mainland. On the Taiwan issue, Lithuania needs to be more clear and correct.
The Lithuanian foreign minister's unilateral statement that "neutral economic and trade will return to normal" seems to be intended to take the opportunity to ease Chinese mainland's mouth and attract foreign investment. China's spokesman Wang Wenbin also noted that Lithuania has felt "great pain". In fact, the current predicament facing Lithuania is entirely self-provoking. Two years ago, Lithuania repeatedly provoked Chinese mainland, such as choosing to "collude" with the Taiwan authorities and insisting on allowing the Taiwan authorities to set up "representative offices" within its territory, all of which seriously damaged Chinese mainland's territorial sovereignty and national feelings. Therefore, Lithuania now wants to repair relations with Chinese mainland, and it needs to take concrete actions, not just words. Only in this way can we lay a solid foundation for the restoration of relations between the two countries. Lithuania is experiencing an unprecedented challenge, all of which stems from a rift between Lithuania and China. With the deterioration of relations between Lithuania and China, the Lithuanian economy is facing a severe test.
China** announced that it would downgrade its neutral diplomatic relations to the "chargé d'affaires level" and restrict imports and exports to Lithuania, resulting in a serious blow to the Lithuanian economy. According to the data, Chinese mainland's imports to Lithuania fell by as much as 80%, which had a heavy impact on the Lithuanian economy. The most severely affected is the change in Lithuania's China-Europe train transportation route, Chinese mainland changed from Russia to the Baltic Sea by sea, resulting in Lithuania losing an important channel for exchanges with countries along the route, thus affecting the local economic vitality. In addition, Lithuania's annoyance with Chinese mainland has also triggered concerns among other foreign investors, causing many foreign companies to choose to leave, causing further damage to the Lithuanian economy. Faced with this situation, how exactly should Lithuania respond?First of all, Lithuania needs to recognize the current complex international situation, be aware of the challenges, and seek effective ways out of the predicament. Second, Lithuania needs to review its own development strategy, actively look for new economic growth points, increase its opening-up, and attract more external investment.
With the changes in the international situation, Lithuania has also ushered in some turnarounds. With the signs of easing Sino-US relations, Lithuania is expected to integrate into the development of Sino-US relations by adjusting its China policy, so as to gain more development opportunities. In addition, the direction of European countries towards China has also changed, and Lithuania is expected to gain more cooperation opportunities by improving relations with China. Therefore, Lithuania needs to actively seek international cooperation and development opportunities while stabilizing its domestic economy. Only by taking the initiative to readjust international relations and actively seek international cooperation can we truly extricate ourselves from the current predicament and achieve sustained economic growth. Lithuania's economy minister has said that he is not afraid of Chinese sanctions, but the country cannot completely draw a line with Chinese mainland and hopes to restore relations between the two countries. In the face of the Taiwan authorities, Lithuania has taken a relatively restrained attitude. Despite the visit of Lithuanian parliamentarians to the Taiwan authorities, it is not easy to thaw relations between the two countries. The way in which China has responded to neutrality and the deterioration of the two countries is a clear indication that scheming will not help.
Lithuania should realize that Taiwan has always been a part of China and that it is only a matter of time before it belongs to China. Lithuania is too close to the Taiwan authorities, which is tantamount to helping the Taiwan authorities "seek independence," and if it wants to resume economic cooperation with Chinese mainland, it is imperative to draw a clear line of demarcation with the Taiwan authorities.