17+1

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

China downgrades diplomatic relations with Lithuania
China has downgraded its diplomatic relations with EU country Lithuania. Relations will be downgraded to the chargé d’affaires level in order to “preserve China’s sovereignty and the basic norms of international relations,” the foreign ministry said in Beijing on Sunday. Chargés d’affaires are ranked below ambassadors in the diplomatic hierarchy. The background is the opening […] continue reading →
Reactions to dispute over Taiwan office in Lithuania
Beijing’s decision to withdraw the Chinese ambassador to Lithuania in the wake of a dispute over a Taiwan trade office in the Baltic country has drawn mixed reactions. Taiwan praises Lithuania’s “resolute will” against China, Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said, according to local media. Beijing had recalled its ambassador Shen Zhifei from Lithuania […] continue reading →
China recalls ambassador from Lithuania
Relations between Lithuania and China continue to deteriorate. Beijing has now recalled its ambassador Shen Zhifei from the Baltic state. Also, according to a report by South China Morning Post, China asked the government in Vilnius on Tuesday to withdraw its ambassador Diana Mickeviciene from Beijing as well. The reason: Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open […] continue reading →
Lithuania wants to leave 17+1 format
Lithuania has announced it will withdraw from the 17+1 format with China. The cooperation program between Beijing and 17 Eastern and Central European countries (CEEC) has brought Lithuania “almost no benefits,” the EU and NATO state’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, told public broadcaster LRT. “I’m not saying we’re leaving and that’s the end, but we […] continue reading →