The leaders of the EU's executive branch and collective presidency also vowed to "push back" against "threats, political pressure and coercive measures" aimed at its member states. Beijing had objected to Lithuania allowing its planned office in Taiwan to use the name "Taiwanese Representative Office" rather than the standard "Taipei," saying it implied Taiwan was a sovereign country, something China rejects.
After Vilnius declined to back down, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Lithuania to withdraw its ambassador to Beijing, while also recalling its own envoy to the Baltic nation in August. Vilnius' decision did not constitute a breach of the EU's one-China policy, von der Leyen and Michel said, asserting that the EU and its member states had a right to further develop relations and cooperation with Taiwan.
