Remigijus Motuzas, the new chairman of the Lithuanian Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, has defended the decision to expel three Chinese diplomats, stating that the move was unavoidable.
The expulsion was due to unresolved accreditation issues with the diplomats. Motuzas explained that although the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sought to extend their accreditation, the request involved extending it for “temporary offices for affairs.” He pointed out that according to the Vienna Convention, such offices do not exist, leaving Lithuania with no other choice.
Currently, Motuzas sees little potential for a near-term improvement in diplomatic ties between Lithuania and China. “It is abnormal that we have no diplomatic relations with such a large country, but the ball is in China’s court. Nonetheless, recent statements indicate that China does not wish for a thaw in these relations or a resolution of issues in the near future,” Motuzas said.
Last Friday, Lithuania declared three staff members of the Chinese diplomatic mission unwelcome and sent a formal diplomatic note to Beijing. The Lithuanian Ministry clarified that the decision was based on “the incompatibility of the status and activities of unaccredited personnel with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, other principles and practices of international law, and Lithuanian legislation.”
China condemned the action and warned of potential retaliatory measures.
