Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

On possible trade measures against Lithuania, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said a price must be paid for mistakes, the response came after a question on whether China will take punitive measures targeting economic cooperation and trade with the Baltic nation.

China has repeatedly reiterated that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect its core interests, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday. 

Lithuania recklessly " creates the false impression of 'one China, one Taiwan' in the world," setting a very bad precedent for other countries, Zhao added. 

China decided on Sunday to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires as a solemn protest against the Baltic state's collusion with the secessionist authority on the island of Taiwan and its blatant violation of the one-China principle.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed in Sunday's statement that there is only one China in the world, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The one-China principle is supported by overwhelming consensus across the international community, and is a widely recognized norm governing international relations. It should also be the political foundation for China and Lithuania's bilateral ties.

"China's position has been fully reflected in the decision. We will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect our core interests," Zhao said on Tuesday.