China’s message is clear: ‘If you hit us, we’ll hit back harder’

RT

One of the most notable political dramas of 2021 has been China’s showdown with Lithuania. Following the Baltic country’s declaration that it would open a “Taiwan representative office” in its country, Beijing denounced it as a violation of its One China policy, specifically over the use of the word Taiwan as opposed to Taipei – which it usually tolerates. 

Beijing made it clear that the move was not acceptable, and proceeded to downgrade its ties with the country not once, but twice, expelling its ambassador, a number of diplomats, and reducing relations to a charge d’affaires level. 

It hasn’t ended there. China has pursued economic retaliation against Lithuania. The country was reportedly struck off China’s customs register temporarily, and Beijing has told multinational companies that they are prohibited from exporting to Lithuania.

The move has been described as an attempt to cut the small Baltic state out of its supply chains altogether. It is a clear statement of intent aimed at deterring any countries tempted to make the same move as Vilnius. Meanwhile, Lithuania has secured a $600 million import credit loan from the United States, a demonstration perhaps of who put them up to the move in the first place…