China vows retaliation following the expulsion of diplomats by EU country
China has criticized Lithuania for designating three staff members of its diplomatic mission as personae non gratae. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Three staff members from Beijing’s diplomatic mission in Lithuania have been declared personae non gratae.
China’s foreign ministry has condemned Lithuania’s decision to expel the diplomats and has warned of potential “countermeasures,” as stated in a release from Beijing on Monday. Tensions have escalated between the two nations following Lithuania's decision to grant diplomatic status to a delegation from Taiwan and allegations regarding a Chinese vessel’s involvement in damaging two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.
On Friday, the Lithuanian foreign ministry declared the three diplomats personae non gratae, citing that their activities violated the Vienna Convention and Lithuanian law.
Beijing characterized this action as a “wanton and provocative action,” asserting that it “reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania.”
The diplomats have been instructed to leave the country within a week, although the Lithuanian ministry did not disclose the specific reasons behind the expulsion.
“The decision was made in light of the information provided by the responsible authorities and the incompatibility of the status and activities of the non-accredited personnel with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, other principles and practices of international law, and Lithuanian legislation,” the ministry noted in its statement.
The Chinese foreign ministry contended that Vilnius had expelled its diplomats “without any reason,” while accusing the nation of violating the One-China principle related to Taiwan and breaching its “political commitment” to China-Lithuania diplomatic relations.
This incident occurs amid deteriorating relations following Lithuania’s 2021 decision to permit Taiwan, which Beijing views as an inseparable part of China, to establish a de facto embassy in Vilnius. In retaliation, Beijing downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania and enforced trade restrictions.
“China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations,” the ministry stated.
Additionally, this situation unfolds against the backdrop of allegations concerning the Yi Peng Three, a Chinese ship suspected of being linked to damage involving two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea. One of these cables connects Sweden to Lithuania, while the other links Finland and Germany; both were severed last month in Swedish territorial waters. The Chinese vessel is believed to have been in the vicinity during the incident and is currently anchored in international waters off Denmark.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
China’s foreign ministry has condemned Lithuania’s decision to expel the diplomats and has warned of potential “countermeasures,” as stated in a release from Beijing on Monday. Tensions have escalated between the two nations following Lithuania's decision to grant diplomatic status to a delegation from Taiwan and allegations regarding a Chinese vessel’s involvement in damaging two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.
On Friday, the Lithuanian foreign ministry declared the three diplomats personae non gratae, citing that their activities violated the Vienna Convention and Lithuanian law.
Beijing characterized this action as a “wanton and provocative action,” asserting that it “reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania.”
The diplomats have been instructed to leave the country within a week, although the Lithuanian ministry did not disclose the specific reasons behind the expulsion.
“The decision was made in light of the information provided by the responsible authorities and the incompatibility of the status and activities of the non-accredited personnel with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, other principles and practices of international law, and Lithuanian legislation,” the ministry noted in its statement.
The Chinese foreign ministry contended that Vilnius had expelled its diplomats “without any reason,” while accusing the nation of violating the One-China principle related to Taiwan and breaching its “political commitment” to China-Lithuania diplomatic relations.
This incident occurs amid deteriorating relations following Lithuania’s 2021 decision to permit Taiwan, which Beijing views as an inseparable part of China, to establish a de facto embassy in Vilnius. In retaliation, Beijing downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania and enforced trade restrictions.
“China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations,” the ministry stated.
Additionally, this situation unfolds against the backdrop of allegations concerning the Yi Peng Three, a Chinese ship suspected of being linked to damage involving two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea. One of these cables connects Sweden to Lithuania, while the other links Finland and Germany; both were severed last month in Swedish territorial waters. The Chinese vessel is believed to have been in the vicinity during the incident and is currently anchored in international waters off Denmark.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
