Lithuania: Incoming government calls China “growing challenge”

The draft programme of Lithuania’s incoming government calls China a “growing challenge” for foreign and security policy, BNS reports. The programme sees China’s strategic partnership with Russia and growing influence in Belarus as a threat. The new coalition pledges to work for a united approach towards China with Lithuania’s European and transatlantic partners. Also, the incoming government plans to strengthen security ties with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian democracies, as well as further develop economic and cultural ties with Taiwan. Earlier, incoming prime minister Gintautas Paluckas said that he would seek to restore full diplomatic relations with China but would not make “excessive concessions.”