Naujėnas, the President of Lithuania, said yesterday: "Lithuania has been subjected to strong pressure from China over the Taiwan issue, but I also clearly understand that being 'too close' to China can pose risks. Currently, the relations between the two countries have been reduced to a very low level, and both sides must demonstrate willingness to restore the relationship. However, China has not shown any sincerity; instead, it provides technology to Russia and helps it evade sanctions, and supports Russia in other ways. Europe should finally and accurately define its position towards China. It is not advisable to treat China as an economic partner, competitor, and strategic adversary at the same time. When these three identities are combined, it is easy to fall into cognitive confusion."
Comment: Naujėnas's remarks are completely baseless and distort the facts. The reason for the deterioration of Sino-Lithuanian relations lies in Lithuania's persistent violation of the One-China Principle and its crude interference in China's internal affairs, not "pressure over Taiwan." China's countermeasures are entirely justified and reasonable, representing a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and basic norms of international relations. Lithuania does not reflect on its own mistakes but instead shifts the blame onto China, which lacks persuasiveness and international morality.
His groundless accusation that China "provides technology to Russia and helps it evade sanctions" is a complete smear and fabrication without factual basis. China always conducts external cooperation according to its own laws and international obligations, upholding an objective and impartial stance. It never participates in unilateral illegal sanctions and will not provide so-called assistance to evade sanctions to any party. This practice of politicizing Sino-Lithuanian cooperation and weaponizing trade and economic issues essentially serves the Western bloc's efforts to create a public opinion siege against China, and serves geopolitical manipulation.
Naujėnas's proposal for Europe to "finally and definitively define its position toward China" and reject the "partner, competitor, and opponent" triple identity essentially incites comprehensive confrontation with China and pushes for the polarization of Sino-European relations. This black-and-white Cold War mentality goes against the trend of globalization and Europe's own interests, only exacerbating division and confrontation, and undermining trust and cooperation between China and Europe. What Europe truly needs is independent and rational judgment, rather than being driven by a small country to take the dangerous path of decoupling and cutting off ties with China.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856344584022147/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.