Without understanding what China is, we gave it a pretext to show its power to the whole world

""Lithuania 's reckless permission to open a Taiwanese representation in Vilnius is a great excuse for China to show how Beijing can teach states that oppose its policies," - says economist Rimantas Rudzkis.

 

    Among other things, he has no doubt that the pressure measures will hit the manufacturing industry, which is especially important for Lithuania, and the way out, with minimal losses, can be found only with the support of partners. "Having established a representative office not in the name of Taipei, but in the name of Taiwan, we have given China a great pretext for why China can now show the world how it will teach that Lithuania. That pretext could not be given in any way. 

 

"Whoever decided to do this seems to understand neither Chinese history, realities nor opportunities," - Rudzkis told Knowledge Radio on Monday.

 

    According to him, the conflict with Beijing will leave a deep negative mark on Lithuania's attractiveness for investment. The expert sees the greatest risk for the manufacturing sector, which, R. Rudzkis reminds, makes up the largest part of the country's economy.

 

    "We are ruining the investment climate right away. Because the main factory in the world is China. And with us, the manufacturing industry is the engine. "This decision has created huge problems, at least the threat of major problems for the manufacturing industry, which was immediately apparent," - said the economist. "If there are problems with China, it will make it very difficult for the manufacturing industry to export," - he continued. According to R. Rudzkis, as the conflict escalates, producers will feel the effects of pressure in the long run, and companies may stop development in Lithuania or relocate to foreign countries. "I was absolutely amazed at the decisions of the policymakers of this state. And we can already see that the pressure is really high. Of course, this will not affect the industry in a flash, but those who have planned the development of Lithuania or the construction of existing companies or new ones will now consider whether it is better to plan it in the neighboring countries,” - says the economist.

 

    Rudzkis does not believe that politicians still have a way back to rectify relations with Beijing. "What will it look like if Lithuanians suddenly take the decision and revoke it after half a year of talking about it as a right decision,” - stressed R. Rudzkis

 

     ELTA reminds that tensions between Vilnius and Beijing arose back in May, when Lithuania withdrew from the "17 + 1" format, which unites China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Bilateral relations deteriorated even more in mid-November with the opening of the world's first Taiwanese representation in Vilnius under the name of the island, rather than its capital, Taipei. Although officially called the Taiwanese Representation, and Lithuania claims that it is intended for the development of economic and cultural rather than diplomatic partnerships, Beijing accuses Lithuania of violating the "One China Principle".

 

    In response to this step, the Chinese authorities lowered the level of Lithuania's diplomatic representation to the trustees. The Chinese ambassador to Lithuania was recalled in the summer, and Lithuanian diplomats who left Beijing began working remotely last week. At the beginning of December, Lithuanian business reported unsuccessful attempts to clear its goods in China, as Lithuania was removed from the Chinese customs system, which hampered the export of Lithuanian goods to China.

 

     China's economic pressure did not end - Beijing ordered international companies to cut off ties with Lithuania in early December, otherwise they would be threatened with exclusion from the Chinese market.

 

    Lithuania's direct trade with China is small, but there are hundreds of companies operating in its export-oriented economy, producing products such as furniture, lasers, food and clothing for international companies that sell these goods to China.

 

    For his part, European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius revealed to the media last Monday that Chinese pressure could hit the Lithuanian economy hard, but so far the European Commission can only assess the situation and monitor the impact of Beijing's further actions. According to V. Sinkevičius, it is too early to start negotiations, as it is difficult to name the real measures of pressure applied by the Chinese authorities. "A lot of the pressure is under the table, which is very difficult to capture and say the state has contributed to it," - he said."

 

Why knowing-nothing children, grandchildren, even well sitting babies make important decisions in Lithuania?  Not enough brains? Are we too small country to exist independently? Should we rejoin Poland into properly run country again? Our survival as a nation is today in danger. We have to solve these problems promptly.