BRUSSELS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) should not be hijacked by Lithuania that has recklessly violated the one-China principle, while it is advisable for the regional club to deal with relations with China for the big picture.
Lithuania has reportedly asked the EU to intervene after China responded to the Baltic country's approval of a "Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania." By playing the card of "EU unity and solidarity," the northeastern European country urged "a strong reaction" to what it absurdly claimed as "coercion" from the Chinese side.
To set the record straight, Lithuania, with the provocative move on China's Taiwan region, renounced the political commitment it made in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties with China in 1991, and undermined China's sovereignty as well as territorial integrity.
"It is right and just that national sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be inviolable," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said earlier this week, adding that "Lithuania broke faith and stood on the opposite side of what is right and just."
To defend its own legitimate rights and interests and safeguard basic norms governing international relations, China has taken legitimate and reasonable actions, which are consistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, general international law and relevant international practice, and are in line with the principle of diplomatic reciprocity.
Lithuania should come to realize the severity of its ill-judged actions and move to correct the mistakes immediately rather than speak ill of China and make mischief between China and the EU.
China and the European Economic Community, predecessor of the EU, agreed to establish official relations in 1975. Sir Christopher Soames, then vice-president of the group, said that "all the member states of the Community recognized the government of China and had taken positions with regard to the Taiwan question acceptable to the People's Republic."
Soames also confirmed "the Community does not entertain any official relations with Taiwan or have any agreements with it."
Such are binding legal obligations of the EU and its member states and should be honored with sincerity.
There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
The Taiwan question is China's internal affair and is a highly sensitive issue. China's position on the Taiwan question is firm and clear, and such position remains unchanged and will never be changed.
The one-China principle is a United Nations-recognized norm of international relations and common consensus of the international community, and also serves as the political foundation for China's bilateral relations with others, including the EU and its member states.
It is such a core principle that allows no ambiguity. Without it, everything above will be shaky.
The EU and China have been comprehensive strategic partners, as well as major trading partners for each other. Staying committed to the general direction of win-win cooperation is in the interests of both sides and will be vital to a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Efforts should be made to prevent what really matters for the EU-China relations from being distracted by political speculation like Lithuania has made unwisely, and stop wrong, dangerous signals to be sent to Taiwan independence separatist forces.
It is also hoped that the EU will uphold strategic autonomy, distinguish between right and wrong, properly handle differences with China, and work with China to push forward the development of bilateral cooperation.
"Taiwan is a long lost son who will eventually return home," said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a speech on Monday. "It should not be used as a pawn to serve others' agenda."
As to Lithuania, it is a pity that the country has turned into a political tool used by certain forces to carry out their agenda and, unfortunately, a laughing stock of the international community.
If certain people or forces in Lithuania stick to the dark path, they will eventually end up in the trashcan of history.
It will be a shame for Lithuania to seek to drag others into the mire it has irresponsibly created. The EU should have eyes wide open on the selfish trick and stay out of Lithuania's own shambles. Enditem
