The Facts
China's Foreign Ministry has urged Estonia not to allow Taiwan to open any official organizations in the Baltic nation, following reports that Chinese Ambassador Guo Xiaomei has threatened to leave the country if a representative office is opened.
During a cabinet meeting last week, the Baltic nation examined its China policy and decided to allow Taiwan to open a nondiplomatic representative office. Its objective is to strengthen economic and cultural links with the self-governing island while still adhering to the One China policy.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
A handful of gutsy European countries have attempted to defy the One China principle, with the latest now being Estonia. While in and of themselves, these countries lack the power to make any meaningful difference, such actions are a clear provocation of China's sovereignty. Estonia's behavior is by no means an unintentional mistake.
Anti-China narrative
China has clearly overreacted. The Estonian government has publicly declared that it stands firm in its One China policy. Similarly to numerous other EU countries, such as its two Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia is solely interested in establishing a trade representation with the sole purpose of enhancing trade and cultural cooperation. This is a tempest in a teapot.
