China has stopped issuing visas to Lithuanian citizens, but Beijing has not provided additional information to Vilnius about the reasons for this decision and whether this measure is temporary. This was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, his words were quoted by the portal. delphi.
“We have been informed about this. No additional information is provided. I know that if necessary, Lithuanian citizens can be accepted in other countries, Poland or elsewhere,” Landsbergis said.
Before that Lithuanian Ministry of Defense prohibited military personnel and authorized employees travel to Russia, Belarus and China while off duty.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense believes that these countries collect information on Lithuanian citizens who have the right to access classified information and look for vulnerabilities to recruit them. Additionally, the Lithuanian government will make exceptions for such trips; especially in emergency situations, life problems with close relatives, etc. In such cases, these trips will be allowed.
Also formerly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China asked Lithuania will correct its mistake after Landsbergis said in an interview with Bloomberg that Beijing had lifted trade restrictions targeting Lithuania’s exports to China.
Previously in Lithuania reproached Because of the West’s attitude towards the conflict in Ukraine.