Lithuania works on mending ties with China less publicly, expects breakthrough in December

Lithuania expects to make progress toward restoring diplomatic representation with China by the end of the year, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Wednesday, expressing confidence in Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys’ efforts to improve ties.

“The work is ongoing, it is happening,” Sinkevičius told reporters. “With Eastern countries, perhaps less background noise is needed, and quiet cooperation is required instead.”

He said the government had prepared an action plan setting out specific steps and deadlines for restoring diplomatic representation, with December identified as the target for a breakthrough.

“I hope it will succeed,” Sinkevičius said, adding that the outcome depended on both countries and that diplomatic matters took time.

The prime minister declined to provide further details, saying Lithuania had learned from past experience and was now pursuing improved relations without public discussion.

He also neither confirmed nor denied whether talks had resumed over the name of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius. Sinkevičius said he was not involved in negotiations with Beijing, which are being handled by Budrys.

Earlier, the prime minister said he expected progress toward restoring diplomatic relations before Lithuania assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027.

Sinkevičius said he was satisfied with Budrys’ performance, arguing that the foreign minister’s work should be assessed more broadly than by progress on a single issue.

“We are visible, heard, and new partnerships are being forged,” he said, adding that he saw potential for progress on other issues, including labour migration.

The ruling coalition has increasingly voiced support for normalising relations with China to the level of diplomatic representation maintained by other EU member states. The goal is also included in the government’s program.

Relations between Lithuania and China deteriorated in 2021 after Vilnius allowed Taiwan to open a representation under the name “Taiwanese Representative Office”. Similar offices in other countries generally operate under the name Taipei.

China responded by downgrading its diplomatic representation in Lithuania from ambassador to chargé d’affaires. Chinese diplomats have been absent from Lithuania since May 2025, after Vilnius declined to issue new accreditations to them.