Lithuania should not solicit US support: FM spokesperson

BEIJING - Lithuania should face the crux of the difficulties in the relations with China, reflect upon itself, and admit seriously and correct mistakes, instead of soliciting US support, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to recent comments by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accusing China of so-called economic coercion on Lithuania and pledging to work with like-minded countries to push back against China's so-called coercive diplomatic and economic behavior.

"The Lithuanian side bears the sole responsibility for the severe difficulties in China-Lithuania relations," Zhao said, adding that the claim that China's authorities "are not clearing Lithuanian shipments" and that "they are rejecting import applications from Lithuania" is not true.

He said the US takes the opportunity to make groundless accusations against China, only to expose its real motive to drive a wedge. "The US leads the world in terms of economic and military coercion, which has drawn wide criticism from the world."

Urging Lithuania to admit seriously and correct mistakes rather than soliciting US support, Zhao said the US side should be objective and unbiased, and stop distorting facts and fanning flames.