Following the announcement about Liu Shaye, the Chinese Ambassador to France, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia arranged a coordinated move. The Lithuanian foreign ministry stated that Chinese representatives in their country would be summoned on Monday to present a formal note. This was part of a broader response across the Baltic states, with Latvia and Estonia joining in similar démarches to address the remarks from Beijing.
Earlier, in Ukraine and among the Baltic states, Liu Shaye had faced sharp criticism over his comments about the sovereignty of post-Soviet republics and the status of Crimea. The discussions focused on the diplomat’s assertion that the post-Soviet space lacks a universally accepted legal standing and that there is no binding agreement defining the sovereignty of these states. Such remarks touched off a debate on how international law recognizes and protects the sovereignty of these nations.
Before these exchanges, Liu Shaye had appeared on the LCI television channel, where the ambassador addressed Western calls to pressure Russia. He articulated that China does not endorse using coercive methods against any state, emphasizing a preference for dialogue and lawful conduct in international relations. This stance was reported as part of a larger Beijing position on how to engage with Russia and other major powers, highlighting China’s emphasis on stability and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.