Lithuania agrees to let China open lower-level diplomatic office

Lithuania has agreed to permit China to open a downgraded diplomatic mission—a charge d’affaires office—in the country, Remigijus Motuzas, chair of the Seimas foreign affairs committee, said on Wednesday.

Motuzas described the move as a slight bow to China, noting that earlier Lithuania had refused China's proposal to set up such an office after the Chinese embassy left the country. Now, however, Lithuania has changed its position and agreed to the establishment of the charge d’affaires office.

The diplomatic rift between Beijing and Vilnius began in autumn 2021 when Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius. Beijing saw this as support for Taiwan's international status and downgraded its diplomatic representation to the charge d’affaires level, renaming its embassy accordingly.

In response, Lithuania refused to issue new accreditations to Chinese diplomats seeking to work under this designation. As a result, no Chinese diplomats have remained in Lithuania since May last year.

According to Motuzas, an agreement has now been reached to provide consular assistance—a move welcomed by Lithuanian business representatives. Previously, Lithuania did not provide such services to Chinese citizens as a protest against China’s punitive measures.

An agreement with some EU member states has been reached, and China's Foreign Ministry has approved that Chinese citizens or members of mixed families traveling to Lithuania can obtain visas in Beijing and other Chinese cities, Motuzas explained.

“Business is very happy about this because some Chinese specialists service certain companies or equipment,” he added.

The ball for improving relations is now in China’s court, the parliamentarian said. “Lithuania has made a proposal, made some concessions, and is currently waiting for a response from China,” Motuzas stated.