China News Network, January 19 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) Lithuania, which insists on provoking China on the pretext of the Taiwan issue, has recently become an ant on a hot pot.
Not only does 60 percent of the people surveyed not support the current government's China policy, but president Nauceda has also publicly "repented." Lithuania's two major backers, the United States and the European Union, do not seem to be as "powerful" as it thinks.
From the political circles to the people, from the inside to the outside, Lithuania is becoming more and more aware of the serious consequences of the "wrong move" of its China policy.
Infographic: Lithuanian President Nauseda.
[Behind the "confession" is the dispute between the government and the court]
On 4 January, Lithuanian President Nauzeda publicly stated that the country had "made a mistake in establishing the name 'representative office' in the name of 'Taiwan'", arguing mainly that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not fully coordinated with him on the name. But his statement was immediately refuted by the prime minister and the speaker of the Parliament.
The Russian news agency commented that it is difficult to believe that Nauzeda knows nothing about the name of the "representative office": more than three months have passed since it was allowed to be officially opened, and the internal consultation time before the decision is taken should be enough for the legislature to correct the "mistake".
So why did the president say this on this occasion?
Jiang Shixue, a distinguished professor at Shanghai University, pointed out to the China News Network reporter that Lithuania is a semi-presidential country with limited presidential powers.
Nauzeda's "complaints" reflect the intensification of lithuanian political rivalries. In the two years since taking office, the cabinet has repeatedly disagreed with the president's position, and the Financial Times analyzed that Nauseda's remarks broke his "fragile unity" with the center-right government led by the prime minister on foreign policy.
Zhang Hong, a researcher at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that by maintaining a certain distance from the current government and cutting, the president intends to protect his own support.
【Behind the numbers is public opinion】
Amid the whistles and boos, the Lithuanian government's "Freedom Defenders Day" event held on the 13th became the scene of the demonstration. When Prime Minister Jimonet spoke, his speech was almost obscured by demonstrations.
Source: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis.
How unkind is the Lithuanian government? At the end of 2021, its support rate fell to an all-time low of 17.3%. Polls show that 60 percent of the people surveyed do not support the country's current China policy, and support Foreign Minister Lands Bergis and Prime Minister Jimonit, who support the Taiwan authorities, with only 15.3 percent and 30.5 percent support, respectively.
The country's second most popular politician, the leader of the opposition "Lithuanian Social Democratic Party", Brinkvychut, criticized the current government's China policy as "unprofessional" and called on the foreign minister to resign as one of the "preconditions" for easing the situation in Lizhong.
However, Landsbergis later slyly argued that the establishment of a "representative office" "did not violate any treaty" and that he had made no mistake.
The performance of the current government has made the "people who have come over" unable to sit still.
Adamkus, who has served two terms of president, pointed out that the current government's wrong decision led to conflict with China and caused huge losses, which is completely unnecessary; former President Gribausket said bluntly that the current government needs to "stop shooting at the feet and hurt itself", learn to govern the country, and have more brains.
"Crazy"! Shadow Prime Minister Karbowskis simply criticized the ruling coalition in this way. The shadow cabinet also issued a statement recently saying that it hopes to normalize relations between Li and China and recognize Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory.
【Behind the entry is the "pit"】
At the end of 2021, Lithuania's inflation rate reached 11%, a new high in more than 20 years, and EU statistics show that as many as 23% of Lithuanians may not be able to adequately warm this winter.
Lithuania's economy is already full of problems, on the 17th, the country's minister of economy and innovation, Armonet, said that relations with China are tense, and foreign investors may change their investment plans. One sign is that the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce said it was considering closing the Founding Factory.
The head of the Investment Authority, West Willis, acknowledged that foreign investors prefer stable countries and lithuania may lose its edge in competition with neighboring countries.
Zhang Hong told the China News Network reporter that Lithuania takes an export-oriented economic route, and the deterioration of relations with China and Russia has led to a deterioration of the external economic environment, and the overall export has been greatly affected.
He further pointed out that in the context of the serious global COVID-19 epidemic, the Asian market is particularly important for the country, and from the perspective of the industrial chain, the tension between China and Lithuania has affected European companies that purchase national parts and components, and also affected the confidence of Chinese consumers.
It is also estimated that the economic loss of Lithuania in 2022 may reach about 300 million euros. At present, Lithuania is actually receiving only $600 million in credit contracts that the United States needs to pay off with interest. In this business, Lithuania is at its own risk.
Lithuania considered itself a "bureau leader", but did not see how many chips it had, and as a result, it was planted in the "pit".
【The "breeder" behind the "experimental rabbit"】
According to the Russian news agency, Vilnius is likely to receive prompts from the outside , such as Washington — to test China's reaction; it is no pity to use Lithuania as an "experimental rabbit".
Lomanov, deputy director of the Institute of World Economics and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, pointed out that Lithuania's policy toward Russia, Belarus and China is confrontational. In collusion with the authorities of the Taiwan region, Lithuania's status as an "anti-Eastern fortress" in Europe was strengthened. The United States needs Lithuania, like today, as a "combat force" to implement policies in Eastern Europe.
Infographic: NATO's "Iron Wolf" military exercise was conducted in Lithuania. More than 5,300 military personnel from many countries in Europe and the United States participated in the military exercise.
However, the United States is now limited to providing military and political support, such as "performative exercises", in order to have to show that it stands with Lithuania, which will not help Lithuania solve its own pressing socio-economic problems.
Although Lithuania has also tried to pull the EU "back" many times, Jiang Shixue and Zhang Hong, two experts, unanimously pointed out that at present, in addition to verbal support, the EU cannot see that it will take some big moves. The BBC also analyzed that EU member states sought to ease the conflict between neutrality, but did not propose substantive measures.
Zhang Hong pointed out that on the one hand, the EU is reluctant to intervene too much directly in diplomatic disputes because Lithuania has made common sense mistakes on the Taiwan issue. On the other hand, the United States exerted great diplomatic pressure on Germany, France, Britain and other countries, asking them to stand for and endorse Lithuania.
In addition, Lithuania hopes that the EU will consider filing a lawsuit against China with the World Trade Organization. However, according to the Analysis of the Russian Satellite News Agency, this not only took several years, but also could not have an immediate relief effect on the economy. Lithuania continues to faithfully play the role of "experimental rabbit", but only seems to be left with itself.
In short, in addition to the "regret medicine", Lithuania, which is under a lot of pressure, may have to take some "antihypertensive drugs". (End)
Source: China News Network