The Lithuanian authorities have announced that the Chinese mission in Vilnius has decided to halt the issuance of visas to citizens of Lithuania.
Confirming the news, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said that they were informed on the matter by the Chinese authorities.
At the same time, Minister Landsbergis stressed that they did not receive any further information on the matter, suggesting that they are unaware of the reasons that might have pushed China to suspend the visa issuance for Lithuanians.
According to the Lithuanian National Television and Radio, Lithuania has not been informed of the duration of the visa suspension either, leaving the country guessing about what might have pushed China to take this decision.
We have been informed about this [China’s decision to suspend visa issuance for Lithuanians]. No further information has been provided.
This is not the first time that China has suspended visa issuance for Lithuanians. The same source explained that previously, on November 21, the Chinese mission in the country decided to halt the issuance of visas to citizens of Lithuania temporarily.
Back then, the Chinese authorities said that the decision was made due to technical reasons. However, not long after, the Lithuanian authorities concluded that the visas were suspended due to the country’s decision to open the Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius.
The diplomatic ties between the two countries went through a crisis back then, with Minister Landsbergis saying last year that officials of both parties were holding talks aimed at normalising the diplomatic relations between Lithuania and China.
During the time that visa issuance is suspended, citizens of Lithuania will not be able to apply for the document. Consequently, without a visa, they will not be able to enter China.
While China has decided to suspend visa issuance for Lithuanian citizens, the case is completely different for citizens of some other European Union/Schengen Area countries.
China decided to drop the visa requirement for all passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain on December 1, 2023. Since then, citizens of these countries have been able to enter China visa-free for stays of up to 15 days without having to undergo visa procedures.
China is also planning to drop the visa requirements for some other countries. Just recently, China announced plans aimed at facilitating travel from Switzerland and Ireland. While a decision on the matter has not been made yet, it is expected that citizens of these two countries might soon be able to enter China without a visa.
