China has officially lowered diplomatic ties with Lithuania to the charge d'affaires level in protest after Taiwan established a de facto embassy in Vilnius.

In a statement, the foreign ministry in Beijing lambasted Lithuania for allowing Taipei opening an office with the name 'Taiwan' and termed it a significant diplomatic departure.

China refrains using word "Taiwan", lest it legitimizes the independence of the island.

It is noteworthy, Taiwan has opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania which provoked China that claims its own territory.