A Taiwanese government-owned liquor firm has bought rum from Lithuania to help the country in dodging a possible Chinese customs block.

Known as Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp, the firm purchased 20,400 bottles of Lithuanian rum that China refused to allow into the country to show support for the Baltic nation amid diplomatic tensions.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tiny-lithuania-takes-on-china-441046/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The company said in a statement, “TTL stood up at the right time, purchased the rum, and brought it to Taiwan.”

“Lithuania supports us and we support Lithuania - TTL calls for a toast to that,” it added.

The shipment is set to arrive on the island later this month and the bottles will be repackaged before hitting the market.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lithuania-agree-on-bilateral-coordination-action-against-china-over-taiwan-row-407615">Also read |&nbsp;US, Lithuania agree on ‘bilateral coordination action’ against China over Taiwan row</a>

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, “I can tell you that the Taiwan authorities’ attempt to maintain their space for Taiwan independence activities by dollar diplomacy is doomed to be in vain.”

China downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania last month after the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in Vilnius under its own name.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said, "It is important that like-minded countries which share respect to international rules must be in solidarity in face of economic pressure. We must continue to share information and coordinate our actions inside the EU and with US and with democratic states in Indian-Pacific ocean region."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-asks-lithuanias-envoy-to-leave-beijing-over-taiwan-row-404881">Also read |&nbsp;China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row</a>

China has told multinational companies to sever ties with Lithuania or face being shut out of the Chinese market, and the Asian economic power has told Continental AG, the German car tyres and parts maker, to stop using parts made in Lithuania.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has in the past two years stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claims, fueling anger in Taipei and deep concern in Washington.

Several companies and business leaders in Lithuania, an EU member state, complained last month that China was blocking their exports by not clearing customs for their products.

The EU trade commissioner said Lithuania's claims about the Chinese blockade were verified and the commission was receiving reports from other member countries about blocked goods that contained parts from Lithuania.

There were "many cases in which imports from Lithuania and the EU are being stopped at Chinese ports and the number is increasing daily", Valdis Dombrovskis said in late December.

He said the commission was using political and diplomatic channels to try to resolve the dispute.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Taiwanese government-owned liquor firm has bought rum from Lithuania to help the country in dodging a possible Chinese customs block. Known as Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp, the firm purchased 20,400 bottles of Lithuanian rum that China refused to allow into the country to show support for the Baltic nation amid diplomatic tensions.

A Taiwanese government-owned liquor firm has bought rum from Lithuania to help the country in dodging a possible Chinese customs block. Known as Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp, the firm purchased 20,400 bottles of Lithuanian rum that China refused to allow into the country to show support for the Baltic nation amid diplomatic tensions. The company said in a statement, “TTL stood up at the right time, purchased the rum, and brought it to Taiwan.” “Lithuania supports us and we support Lithuania - TTL calls for a toast to that,” it added. The shipment is set to arrive on the island later this month and the bottles will be repackaged before hitting the market. Also read | US, Lithuania agree on ‘bilateral coordination action’ against China over Taiwan row In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, “I can tell you that the Taiwan authorities’ attempt to maintain their space for Taiwan independence activities by dollar diplomacy is doomed to be in vain.” China downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania last month after the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in Vilnius under its own name. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said, "It is important that like-minded countries which share respect to international rules must be in solidarity in face of economic pressure. We must continue to share information and coordinate our actions inside the EU and with US and with democratic states in Indian-Pacific ocean region." Also read | China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row China has told multinational companies to sever ties with Lithuania or face being shut out of the Chinese market, and the Asian economic power has told Continental AG, the German car tyres and parts maker, to stop using parts made in Lithuania. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has in the past two years stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claims, fueling anger in Taipei and deep concern in Washington. Several companies and business leaders in Lithuania, an EU member state, complained last month that China was blocking their exports by not clearing customs for their products. The EU trade commissioner said Lithuania's claims about the Chinese blockade were verified and the commission was receiving reports from other member countries about blocked goods that contained parts from Lithuania. There were "many cases in which imports from Lithuania and the EU are being stopped at Chinese ports and the number is increasing daily", Valdis Dombrovskis said in late December. He said the commission was using political and diplomatic channels to try to resolve the dispute. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid row with China, Taiwan buys Lithuanian liquor in show of support

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unacceptable-and-unjust-justin-trudeau-slams-chinas-jail-sentence-for-canadian-michael-spavor-404592">China</a> demanded&nbsp;Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing.

Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire.

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it intends to unify with the mainland by force if necessary. China's foreign ministry said the move "severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-to-open-representative-office-in-lithuania-399295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-backs-chinas-anti-sanctions-law-404412">China</a> asked Lithuania "not to move further down the wrong path" while asking it to "rectify its wrong decision".

Lithuania however said it is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan while saying that it "respects the principle of One-China".

The European Union&nbsp;backed Lithuania and asserted that it did not view the opening of a representative office in or from Taiwan as a breach of the EU's One-China policy.

"This is the first time China has recalled an ambassador in an EU member state for opening or maintaining an office in Taiwan," the EU said.

Lithuania has also promised to send 20,000 coronavirus vaccine&nbsp;doses to Taiwan as it seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Lithuania earlier had also decided to quit China's 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states.

Lithuania's ambassador to China Diana Mickeviciene confirmed China's intention as the Communist Party decided to recall the Chinese envoy to Lithuania.

Mickeviciene had just arrived in the country as Chinese officials asked her to leave amid the row over Taiwan. &nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

&nbsp;&nbsp;

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, China demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing. Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire.

After Lithuania allowed Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the country, China demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing. Taiwan had said last month it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name "Taiwan" instead of "Taipei" attracting China's ire. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province which it intends to unify with the mainland by force if necessary. China's foreign ministry said the move "severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity". Watch: China asked Lithuania "not to move further down the wrong path" while asking it to "rectify its wrong decision". Lithuania however said it is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan while saying that it "respects the principle of One-China". The European Union backed Lithuania and asserted that it did not view the opening of a representative office in or from Taiwan as a breach of the EU's One-China policy. "This is the first time China has recalled an ambassador in an EU member state for opening or maintaining an office in Taiwan," the EU said. Lithuania has also promised to send 20,000 coronavirus vaccine doses to Taiwan as it seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Lithuania earlier had also decided to quit China's 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states. Lithuania's ambassador to China Diana Mickeviciene confirmed China's intention as the Communist Party decided to recall the Chinese envoy to Lithuania. Mickeviciene had just arrived in the country as Chinese officials asked her to leave amid the row over Taiwan. (With inputs from Agencies)

China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row

lithuania-china-row

Lithuania China Row, News on Lithuania China Row, stories on Lithuania China Row, articles on Lithuania China Row, Lithuania China Row stories at Wion, Lithuania China Row news, Lithuania China Row latest news

lithuania china-row

Amid row with China, Taiwan buys Lithuanian liquor in show of support

China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row