In a major blow to China’s diplomatic efforts in Europe, Estonia and Latvia said on Thursday that they would endorse China’s enlistment for its engagement with Central and Eastern European countries amid growing concerns over relations with their archenemies Moscow and Beijing. left the club.
China’s declaration of “unrestricted” friendship with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was anathema to the Baltic nations, who said Putin’s invasion of Ukraine would not be enough for Russia to retake the Soviet empire. I fear it portends a broader attempt to
Lithuania was the first to leave the group last year, in the style of 17+1, a diplomatic forum in which 17 countries try to find common ground with Beijing. Thursday’s move by Tallinn and Riga cuts the framework down significantly to her 14+1.
In the case of Lithuania, when China began blocking Lithuanian goods at customs, the government of Vilnius also chose to pursue a policy of deeper diplomatic engagement with democratic Taiwan.
Beijing has yet to comment on its rejection by Tallinn and Riga. But +1’s entire diplomatic form is under increasing pressure, with China being criticized for playing a divide-and-conquer game within her EU, and Eastern European nations questioning their economic dividends. increase.
In a statement on Thursday, the government of Tallinn said: China relations in line with values such as the rules-based international order and human rights. ”
He added that Estonia “has not attended any meetings of this type since the summit last February.”
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made the same withdrawal on Thursday. “Given the current priorities of Latvia’s foreign and trade policy, Latvia has decided to discontinue its participation in the framework of cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.”
“Latvia will continue to strive for constructive and pragmatic relations with China, not only on a bilateral basis, but also on cooperation between the EU and China based on mutual interest, respect for international law, human rights and the order based on international rules. ‘ added.
Separately, Beijing asked the Lithuanian government to invite a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Agne Vaičkeviczyte to visit Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called it a “blatant betrayal” of the “one China policy” promised by Lithuania.
Privately held, Estonian and Latvian officials have been warning of the imminent move for months. Less than a month later, I decided to take the first step.
Nine of the 27 EU member states Beijing launched in 2012 (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) remain in the club. There are also his five non-EU countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
The EU is also an observer at the conference.
The Chinese government has already felt a sluggish response from these countries this year. In April, China sent veteran diplomat Huo Yuzhen as a special envoy to Central and Eastern European countries to try to mend relations.
China has not announced plans for President Xi Jinping or Premier Li Keqiang to chair an annual summit with the region’s leaders.
Last year, Estonia turned down President Xi Jinping’s invitation to Prime Minister Kaja Karas to attend a virtual summit. Her Foreign Minister attended on her behalf.
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