Baltic Countries Quit China-Led East European Bloc Despite Retaliation From Beijing

People take part in a human chain protest in support of the Hong Kong Way, a recreation of a pro-democracy "Baltic Way" protest against Soviet rule three decades ago, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Aug. 23, 2019. Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images

Following Lithuania’s departure from an East Europe forum led by China in May 2021, Latvia and Estonia announced last week that they’re also leaving the bloc.

Experts point out that the Baltic countries’ departure from China’s “17+1” bloc is a serious blow to the regime’s aggressive international relations in Europe.

The 17+1 Cooperation Forum, also known as Cooperation Between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC), was established in 2012. The forum is held once per year and is a mechanism for meetings between Beijing and 17 Central and Eastern European countries. Most of the countries were previously part of the former Soviet Union.

Lithuania quit the Beijing diplomatic initiative last year and urged other countries to follow suit while calling on them to strengthen relations with the European Union to form a strong unit based on similar values. The country has since been developing relations with Taiwan (Republic of China). Lithuania’s move sparked anger and economic retaliation from Beijing.

Staff outside the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Nov. 18, 2021. Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/via AP, File

Latvia and Estonia issued separate statements on leaving the Beijing-led bloc on Aug. 11.

“In view of the current priorities of Latvian foreign and trade policy, Latvia has decided to cease its participation in the cooperation framework of Central and Eastern European Countries and China,” Latvia’s Foreign Ministry stated.

“[Latvia] will continue to strive for constructive and pragmatic relations with China both bilaterally, as well as through EU–China cooperation based on mutual benefit, respect for international law, human rights, and the international rules-based order.”

In a similar statement, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry stated that it would “continue to work towards constructive and pragmatic relations with China, which includes advancing EU–China relations in line with the rules-based international order and values such as human rights.”

“Estonia has not attended any of the meetings of the format after the summit last February,” the statement reads.

The move follows sanctions the Chinese regime put on a Lithuanian deputy minister who visited Taiwan on Aug. 7.

It’s believed that China’s increasingly aggressive international relations and its support for Russia during the Russia–Ukraine war are the direct causes of the countries distancing themselves from the regime.

Taking a Stance Despite Retaliation

After U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which angered the Chinese regime, China conducted days-long military exercises in the air and sea surrounding Taiwan. In the meantime, officials from the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications, including Deputy Minister Agne Vaiciukeviciute, visited the democratic island.

The visit is seen as showing support to both Taiwan and Pelosi. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the visit a “naked betrayal” of the “one China” commitment. The Chinese regime has suspended cooperation with Lithuania and placed sanctions on Vaiciukeviciute.

Regarding the Baltic countries’ departure from the China-CEEC forum, U.S.-based current affairs commentator Li Muyang said on his talk show, “News Insight” on NTD, that “it’s a blow to the Chinese regime, especially to its push for One Belt, One Road initiatives in Eurasia.” The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initially vigorously promoted the ”China-Central and Eastern Europe 17+1 Cooperation Mechanism ... mainly to promote the CCP’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ plan in Eurasia,” he said.

One Belt, One Road, also known as the Belt and Road initiative, is Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s grand foreign policy project that he launched in 2013. It aims to extend the CCP’s economic and political influence to countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa by recreating ancient China’s silk road and maritime routes for trading in the 21st century. The initiative invests Chinese capital in the construction of various high-cost infrastructure projects in more than 60 participating countries. It has been widely criticized for setting up debt traps for recipient countries, along with accusations of espionage and infiltration.

Containers at Pier VII at the Trieste Marine Terminal on April 2, 2019, in Trieste, Italy. The historic city of Trieste is preparing to open its new port to China, with Italy becoming the first Group-of-Seven nation to sign on to China’s “One Belt, One Road” infrastructure project. Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images

Li pointed out that the withdrawal of Latvia and Estonia from 17+1 has far greater political significance than practical purposes.

“Although these two countries are small, they are taking a stance to show that the international community is awakening and can no longer tolerate the CCP’s aggressiveness and hooliganism,” he said.

Taiwan political affairs expert Lee You-tan told Radio Free Asia that Baltic countries leaving the China bloc is a very good sign. The joint efforts of the three Baltic countries and the EU can indeed break the CCP’s attempt to divide and conquer Europe, he said.

“European leaders need to know that appeasement will not bring peace, nor will it make rogue regimes respect the international order and human rights conventions,” he said.

The China-backed 17+1 forum has become “14+1.” Nine of the 27 EU countries are still members, including Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The other five members are non-EU countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.