Great China and the «fly» Lithuania – Dagsavisen

Chinese leaders are constantly admonishing other countries to “learn from history.” The admonitions are often accompanied by clear warnings, such as this: “He who plays with fire must take the consequences himself.”

If we are to believe the Chinese media, an alarming number of countries have played with fire in the year we will soon have behind us. Even little Lithuania. According to the party newspaper Global Times, this troubled country with only 2.8 million inhabitants has “lifted a big rock, just to drop it on its own feet”. Lithuania has allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in the capital Vilnius.

The official opening took place on November 18 with the cutting of silk ribbons and well-worded speeches. The tirades from Beijing, however, were anything but beautiful. China’s foreign ministry described the incident as a gross provocation and warned of “painful” sanctions. Editor Hu Xijin of the Global Times went berserk and characterized Lithuania as a pathetic fly hardly worth a comment. The newspaper nevertheless thought it was important to react because it had challenged “the dignity of the great power China”.

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China has diplomatic relations with 177 countries, Taiwan with only 14. That is why it can seem strange when such a powerful country makes so much noise due to a “fly”. But for Chinese leaders, the one-China policy is sacred. There is only one Chinese government, and it has its seat in Beijing. Lithuania’s actions leave the impression that there are two.

Lithuania regained its independence in 1990 and established diplomatic relations with China the following year. Relations seemed to be good until Lithuania earlier this year withdrew from a co-operation forum between China and 17 European countries. The initiative for the forum, known as the “17 + 1 group”, was taken by China. The Vilnius government did not like the imperative tone of the Chinese representatives and felt that they were looking to see division in Europe. Thus, Taiwan, often referred to as “free China”, became more alluring.

Now Lithuania is shivering in China’s cold freezer. China has recalled its ambassador to Vilnius, while the Lithuanian ambassador to Beijing has packed his bags and left. Until further notice, diplomatic contact is maintained at chargé d’affaires level. From Chinese sources, there have been signals that it could go against a full breach as long as Lithuania does not “come to its senses”. Already in August, the Chinese stopped the direct freight transport by train to Lithuania. The measure is a new example of China’s willingness to resort to economic sanctions to achieve its political goals.

The dispute between Lithuania and China is being followed with considerable interest both inside and outside Europe. Many would argue that the Vilnius government has gone a long way in letting Taiwan into the heat. But the steadfastness of the Lithuanians also commands a certain respect, and the EU has long since declared its “support and solidarity”. Every member state that is exposed to Chinese threats and sanctions has the right to react, says the European Commission’s Vice President Margrethe Vestager. The United States has also moved to Lithuania’s defense and warns of more trade and cooperation with the Baltic states.

The EU’s frustration with China is well known. This spring, the European Parliament put a fully negotiated investment agreement between the EU and China on hold. It is now said that the agreement can hardly be adopted until 2023. Last week, the EU took a new step by launching an alternative to the Chinese Silk Road project, known as “One belt, one road”. The budget for the proposed “Global Gateway” is a staggering 300 billion euros, or 2910 billion kroner. Without naming China by name, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU wanted to show that there was another way of doing things, one that was sustainable and in line with “EU democratic values ​​and international norms”.

Many would argue that the Vilnius government has gone a long way in letting Taiwan into the heat.

— Torbjørn Færøvik

The EU is particularly concerned about China’s growing influence in southern Europe and the Balkans. According to a British diplomat, the initiative will also benefit countries in Africa, where China has invested heavily in various types of infrastructure.

Much because of China, today’s diplomacy has become a form of lightning chess where the pieces are moved quickly. In East Asia, China’s neighbors are following developments with an arguing eye. All have diplomatic relations with the regime in Beijing. Nevertheless, they distance themselves from the Chinese leaders’ saber-rattling towards Taiwan. They are also opposed to Beijing’s threatening behavior in the East and South China Seas. Last week, the Japanese government proposed an additional $ 6.8 billion in the original defense budget. The proposal is treated as an urgent matter in the National Assembly. The country’s new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says the reality surrounding Japan is more serious than in a long time.

The Philippines, which in recent years has gone to great lengths to appease Beijing, has also sharpened its tone towards China. Likewise Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, which are constantly exposed to China’s close activity at sea. The relationship between Australia and China is a chapter in itself. For many years they were good friends, but when the government of Canberra in May proposed an investigation into China’s role in the outbreak of the covid-19 virus, the Chinese responded with financial sanctions and heavy verbal fire. According to Chinese media, the country is nothing more than a “giant kangaroo that serves the dog USA”. India, China’s southern neighbor, is described as “a sleepy elephant ruled by false rumors.”

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In China, a lot of power is concentrated in the hands of one man. The country’s foreign policy goals and means are largely defined by President and Party Leader Xi Jinping. His “thoughts” are diligently studied throughout the country, not least by the newly established “Institute of Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Diplomacy.” The Chinese are understandably proud that the country has once again become a great power. But do they understand that China’s biggest enemy may turn out to be China itself? In more and more countries, the country’s foreign policy appears aggressive, tone-deaf and counterproductive.

In today’s political climate, there is hardly much room for discussion in the Chinese leadership. Discipline is the first commandment, which was strongly emphasized at the Central Committee’s plenary meeting earlier this month. Therefore, it is unlikely that we will see a gentler and more sociable China in 2022. For the time being, it is a consolation that Chinese intellectuals now and then dare to criticize Xi Jinping’s foreign policy. Several memories of Xi a few years ago launched the term “soft power” to describe the country’s international profile. “Now we have to fill the concept with content, and not just talk about it,” writes one critic.

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