Lithuania Has No Chinese Diplomats for Over a Year, Proposes Establishing a Liaison Office

(CNA, Vilnius, June 18) - Lithuania's diplomatic relations with China have been in a stalemate since it allowed Taiwan to establish a representative office in 2021. Since May of last year, there have been no Chinese diplomats in the country. On the 17th, the Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Motuzas, stated that Lithuania has proposed agreeing to China's establishment of a "liaison office" in Lithuania at this stage.

According to a report by Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT, Motuzas (Remigijus Motuzas) said in an interview with a local radio station yesterday that Lithuania had previously rejected similar proposals but has now put forward a plan to agree to the establishment of a Chinese liaison office.

In late 2021, Lithuania allowed Taiwan to establish a representative office in the capital, Vilnius, named "Taiwan," which provoked China's displeasure. China subsequently imposed diplomatic and economic sanctions on Lithuania, downgraded diplomatic relations to the charge d'affaires level, recalled its ambassador to Lithuania, and demanded that Lithuania recall its ambassador to China.

Chinese diplomats later applied for new diplomatic credentials under the name "liaison office," but the Lithuanian side did not recognize it and refused to issue them, resulting in no Chinese diplomats in Lithuania since May 2025.

According to reports, Motuzas stated that both sides have now reached a consensus on consular service arrangements, including visa issuance matters. Under these arrangements, Chinese citizens and some multinational family members can apply for visas to Lithuania in Beijing and other Chinese cities.

He pointed out that the relevant measures have received a positive response from the business community, as some Chinese technical personnel need to travel to Lithuania to provide services such as equipment maintenance.

Motuzas said that Lithuania has put forward a plan, and the "ball" for improving bilateral relations is now in China's court. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150618

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