"We were sacrificed," Lithuanian entrepreneurs complained about the country's China policy: companies or forced to move abroad

Lithuanian Politicians' challenge to the one-China principle has created tensions in relations with China, which is hurting the country's technology industry, according to lithuanian state radio and television (LRT) reported on January 20. Industry representatives stated that unless circumstances changed, companies might have to relocate outside Lithuania.

Cristianus Vizbaras. Image source: Screenshot of the report

Christyonas Wizbalas, co-founder of brolis Group, a laser industry company based in Vilnius, Lithuania, said after attending a meeting attended by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on the 19th: "The situation is finally clear, and the foreign minister has bluntly stated that this situation with China and the European Union will not change." So, on a technical level, we've been sacrificed by this so-called 'value-based' policy. ”

After the meeting on the resilience of the country's economy held on the 19th, Vizbalas said that if this situation does not change, Lithuanian technology companies may soon be forced to expand elsewhere.

"What already exists in Lithuania will remain here, but we need to increase production to participate in global supply chains," the businessman said. These remaining operations in Lithuania will be used in niche markets where China's direct or indirect involvement can be avoided. ”

Asked if the Lithuanian government is currently "asking the European Union for help" and whether it will compensate its company for its losses in the Chinese market, Vizbalas said that getting some kind of compensation is not his company's goal. "This has nothing to do with rescue measures," he said. It's about being able to do business and sell (in China). ”

For example, Vyzbaras said: "In the automotive or laser industry, we cannot ignore the fact that China dominates the global supply chain. That's not our choice, and that's the reality. If we can't sell our products, components, then we can't do business in this geographical location (in Lithuania). ”

Lithuanian media LRT also mentioned that during the period of neutral diplomatic tensions, some Lithuanian companies complained that their trade with China was subject to various restrictions. There are also sources claiming that the Chinese government requires multinational companies to sever ties with Lithuania or they will be shut out of the Chinese market. In this regard, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin once said: China has always acted in accordance with the rules of the WTO. Lithuania has reneged on its promises, flagrantly violated the political commitments made to the Chinese side when the neutral countries established diplomatic relations, created "one China, one Taiwan" in the world, seriously undermined China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and set a bad precedent in the international arena. We resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly safeguard our core interests.

Lithuanian President Nauseda criticized the government's decision to let the Taiwan authorities open a "representative office in Lithuania" in the name of "Taiwan" on the 4th, which was a "mistake" and that he himself did not "fully coordinate" on this matter. The Shadow Cabinet issued a statement on the 10th, hoping that the Legislative Government would correct its mistakes and rename the "Taiwan Representative Office" to the "Taipei Representative Office"; the leader of the Opposition Social Democratic Party, Vilia Brinkeverevich, appealed to Foreign Minister Landsbergis to resign on the 10th.

On November 18, 2021, in spite of China's solemn protests and repeated representations, Lithuania allowed the Taiwan authorities to set up a "Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania".

At that time, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement pointing out that this move was blatantly creating "one China, one Taiwan" in the international arena, betraying the political commitments made by the cubic party in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and solemn protest in this regard and decided to downgrade the diplomatic relations between the neutral two countries to the level of chargé d'affaires.