On the Right Side of the Barricades
Lithuania’s Confrontation with China
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
After Taiwan opened a trade office in Vilnius in late 2021, China removed Lithuania from its customs system and pressured international companies to stop doing business with Lithuania. This is not the first conflict between Beijing and Vilnius. Lithuania’s own experience with communist rule influences its view of China: Lithuanian politicians criticize the repression of national minorities and Beijing’s right-wing nihilistic approach to Hong Kong. They see parallels between Russia and China and warn of the political and military threat that emanates from them. They are confirmed by China’s de facto support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The Chinese ambassador to France recently denied the sovereignty of the Baltic states. Such statements reinforce the Lithuanians’ critical attitude toward China.
(Osteuropa 7-9/2023, pp. 343–355)