"Foreign
Minister Kęstutis Budrys agrees that China poses various threats to Lithuania,
but disputes the notion that the level of threat would increase if a Chinese
representative office were to operate normally in Lithuania.
On Thursday,
Foreign Minister K. Budrys visited the parliamentary group of the opposition
Liberal Movement. The group’s leader, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, reminded him
of what is written about China in the 2026 threat assessment report prepared by
the State Security Department (VSD) and the Second Investigation Department.
This reference is particularly relevant given that K. Budrys himself previously
held a high-ranking position at the VSD and, alongside its former head Darius
Jauniškis, used to present such threat assessment reports.
'I took a look at
the VSD threat assessment report for 2026. In it, China is described as a state
that is assembling a coalition of unfriendly nations against Western
countries—as a specific threat, a threat to Lithuania, a threat to European
Union member states, and as a strategic ally of Russia.
And I would like
to ask you—not only in your capacity as Foreign Minister, but also, of course,
as a former high-ranking security official, ultimately, speaking as an
honorable and patriotic individual, how do you assess the current process—the
process of rapprochement with China, the public exchanges, and, effectively,
the slaps in the face involving Taiwan? And has Lithuania—whether intentionally
or inadvertently—arrived at a crossroads where it must choose between the
democratic and non-democratic blocs, and is it now treading a dangerous path?”
V. Čmilytė-Nielsen asked the minister.
He disagrees with
the notion that we are safer without a fully functioning Chinese diplomatic
mission.
In response, K.
Budrys expressed his agreement and confirmed that China poses various threats
to Lithuania. "It is necessary—indeed, mandatory—to speak publicly about
all threats, both to warn the population and to ensure we do not harbor
illusions that certain things are not happening. Politicians have a duty to
discuss these matters openly.
The threats
linked to China’s activities are numerous; they go well beyond the
counterintelligence concerns that were highlighted even before the COVID-19
pandemic.
Currently, we
face a multitude of challenges related to economic security—such as China’s
industrial overcapacity and the erosion of various European industrial sectors
due to China’s unfair policies. Lithuania itself is directly confronting trade
and phytosanitary restrictions imposed by China—measures which, in our
assessment, are unfair and violate WTO rules. Furthermore, China’s
actions—facilitating Russia’s defense industry through the supply of goods and
the training of military personnel—contribute to instability in Europe and
exacerbate the threats facing Ukraine. I am confident that we have fully
assessed this entire spectrum of threats and that there is a consensus
regarding them," the minister commented.
Meeting between
the Liberal Movement and Minister K. Budrys:
However, he
disagreed with the notion that the "absence of a Chinese diplomatic
mission makes Lithuania safer." "That is an illusion. During this
period—the five years in which we have lacked a diplomatic mission—our economic
dependencies have grown, and the threats we face in certain areas have
intensified. One should not link the presence or absence of a diplomatic
mission to the intensity of these threats. While the situation might be
slightly influenced—either exacerbated or mitigated—within one narrow sphere,
we remain exposed across a much broader spectrum," explained K. Budrys.
Jauniškis in
2024: The return of an ambassador would lead to an intensification of Chinese
intelligence activities.
In saying this,
he effectively countered his former superior, former VSD (State Security
Department) Director D. Jauniškis. Previously, D. Jauniškis had remarked that
if Lithuania and China were to exchange ambassadors once again, it would give
China a free hand to engage in more active intelligence operations—activities
currently constrained by the lower level of diplomatic representation.
"To harbor
the illusion that China—a country that is, in fact, quite hostile toward
us—would refrain from any intelligence-related activities upon its arrival here
well, that would be incredibly naive," D. Jauniškis stated in 2024 during
the program "ELTA kampas." "Undoubtedly, the restoration of
embassy status automatically brings about certain opportunities, which in turn
leads to an intensification of intelligence activities. I would predict that
such activities would resume, resulting in a significantly heavier workload for
us. It would mean the emergence of another state that requires very close
monitoring regarding its actions," stated the former head of the State
Security Department (VSD).
The current
situation is described as abnormal.
Responding
further to the Liberals, K. Budrys asserted that Lithuania has been seeking to
normalize diplomatic relations with China ever since 2021—when China
unilaterally downgraded its diplomatic ties with our country—and emphasized
that Lithuania’s position on this matter has remained unchanged.
"Nothing has
been altered; these are ongoing efforts," said K. Budrys.
He also disagreed
with the notion that Lithuania, regarding its relations with China and Taiwan are at a crossroads, or
perhaps facing an unsolvable dilemma.
"I believe
that all diplomatic tools must be fully utilized," noted K. Budrys.
He explained why
it is necessary for Lithuania to maintain normal diplomatic relations and
representation with China.
"There are
several issues we need to address bilaterally with the Chinese side. Currently,
we cannot even do that—and I keep citing these examples: when we need to
resolve situations involving our own citizens on a bilateral basis, we have to
keep turning to other European Union member states to step in and speak on our
behalf. That is completely abnormal. We need to have the capacity [to handle
this ourselves]," said K. Budrys.
Focus on the name
of the Taiwanese Representative Office
China downgraded
its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of *chargé d'affaires*
following the opening of a Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania in
2021. China viewed this as a violation of the "One China" principle
and imposed diplomatic and economic sanctions on Lithuania.
The current
Government has stated its intention to normalize Lithuania's diplomatic
relations with China, aiming for a level of diplomatic representation
consistent with that currently maintained in other European Union member
states. This might require sacrificing the name of the Taiwanese representative
office.
According to
*Delfi*, in September, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) handed an informal document of demands to Constance H. Wang, the head of
the Taiwanese representative office, urging Taiwan to change the name of its
office in Vilnius by October 1st.
The document
states that, in exchange for changing the name, the Taiwanese side was offered
the opportunity to sign an agreement regarding investment prospects and to
begin negotiations on the avoidance of double taxation.
When commenting
on this previously, K. Budrys did not deny that discussions with the Taiwanese
side were taking place, but he rejected claims that the Ministry had pressured
the office to change its name.
It is suggested
that deadlines are, in fact, part of the discussions with the Taiwanese.
As recently as
Wednesday, the Minister told journalists that "there were no ultimatums,
no deadlines" presented to the Taiwanese side regarding a change to the
office's name.
By Thursday,
however, his account shifted while speaking to the Liberals. When asked by V.
Čmilytė-Nielsen whether a deadline—October 1st—had been presented to the
Taiwanese, K. Budrys stated: “I cannot confirm that. Regarding deadlines and
mutual understanding—yes, we did discuss when we might expect certain things.
There are also other dates mentioned that serve as deadlines of sorts, yes,
deadlines were indeed part of the discussion.”
Additionally, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the meeting between representatives of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwanese—as described by *Delfi*—was
merely one “episode,” “taken out of a series of meetings.”
Chinese diplomats
are visiting Lithuania on Wednesday and Thursday."
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