By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters – China has imposed a blockade on Lithuanian imports. The announcement came amid a heated dispute between Beijing, Vilnius and Beijing over Taiwan’s opening of a de facto embassy.

After the opening of the Taiwanese Representative Office to Lithuania on November 18, China lowered its diplomatic relations with the Baltic State. They also suspended consular services.

China considers Taiwan self-ruled Taiwan a territory that is not subject to the same rights of a state. Others Taiwanese office in Europe or the United States refer to Taiwan as the city Taipei and avoid any mention of Taiwan itself.

On Thursday, Vidmantas Jaulevicius (president of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists) reported that initial reports of the Chinese customs move emerged. He cited three trade bodies as the source.

China customs has removed Lithuania from its list of countries origin. He stated that customs forms to import cargoes from Lithuania are not possible.

Janulevicius stated that the confederation which represents half of Lithuania’s economy will request that the government file a complaint to World Trade Organisation about trade barriers.

Vilnius’s Chinese Office of the Charge d’Affairs didn’t comment on the report.

According to a 15min news outlet statement, Lithuania’s foreign minister is speaking to the European Commission in order to get a response from all members of Europe. On Friday, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed this statement. Vilnius, Lithuania’s Commission of Human Rights declined immediate comment.

Lithuania trades heavily with European Union members and exported goods worth 300 million euros to China in 2020. This made it the 22nd most important destination for exports according to statistics.