China has reduced its official relations with Lithuania to below ambassador level after Taiwan, the island democracy that Beijing claims as part of its own territory, was allowed to open a representative office in the Baltic nation.
China earlier expelled the Lithuanian ambassador, reflecting its intense sensitivity over the status of Taiwan, which Beijing says has no right to conduct foreign affairs. China also withdrew its own ambassador from Lithuania.
Lithuania’s move reflects growing interest among governments in expanding ties with Taiwan, a major trader and center for high-tech industry, at a time when Beijing has irritated its neighbors and Western governments with an increasingly assertive foreign and military policy.The foreign ministry accused Lithuania of “undermining Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity.” It called on the Lithuanian government to “correct the mistakes immediately.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WTA threatens to pull out of China as concerns for Peng growWomen's Tennis Association prepared to pull its tournaments out of China if Peng Shuai remains unaccounted for and her sexual assault allegations are not investigated
Read more »
China says 'not aware' of tennis player Peng Shuai issueBEIJING (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday said it wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding tennis professional Peng Shuai, who disappeared after accusing a former top official of sexually abusing her.
Read more »
WTA chairman willing to pull out of China if tennis star Peng Shuai not accounted forThe head of the Women's Tennis Association has said he is willing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars worth of business in China if tennis player Peng Shuai's is not fully accounted for and her allegations investigated.
Read more »
EXPLAINER: What drives high-profile disappearances in ChinaBEIJING (AP) — The disappearance of tennis star Peng Shuai in China following her accusation of sexual assault against a former top Communist Party official has shined a spotlight on similar cases involving political dissidents, entertainers, business leaders and others who have run afoul of the authorities.
Read more »
China Foreign Ministry Claims They're 'Not Aware' Of Tennis Star Peng Shuai's DisappearanceThe China Foreign Ministry is claiming they're 'not aware' of the disappearance of tennis star Peng Shuai, who vanished after accusing a powerful Chinese politician of sexual assault.
Read more »
China furious with Joe Biden as he mulls diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics'Politicizing sports is against the Olympic spirit and harms the interests of athletes from all countries,' said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.
Read more »