China intensified diplomatic pressure on Estonia on Wednesday, warning it not to allow Taiwan to open a new office in the country, Politico reported.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu began his visit to the three Baltic states with Latvia on Wednesday. Beijing has expressed displeasure with Taiwan and Estonia’s plans. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin urged Estonia to refrain from allowing Taiwan to set up any official organisations.
China urges the Estonian side to abide by its solemn commitment to the One China principle, refrain from allowing Taiwan to set up any official organisations and effectively safeguard the political basis of bilateral relations.
When Taiwan established an office in the neighbouring Baltic state, Lithuania, Beijing punished Vilnius with a trade embargo, prompting the EU to accelerate efforts to counter China’s economic pressure instruments.
Estonia insisted that Taiwan’s office would be consistent with EU policy. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that his country did not recognise Taiwan as a nation.
“Just like many other European Union countries, Estonia is ready to accept the establishment of a non-diplomatic economic or cultural representation of Taipei in order to promote such relations. At the same time, we consider it important to boost relations with Taiwan in the fields of the economy, education, culture, relations between civil society organizations and other such areas.”
Tsahkna also noted that relations with Taiwan do not contradict China’s policy.
We also support Taiwan’s participation in international affairs in areas of global interest, such as the fight against pandemics and Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization. Reinvigorating relations with Taiwan do not contradict the One China policy.
