Taiwan's CNC reported (March 3) that Lithuania is considering leaving the Beijing-initiated "17+1 forum" and building links with Taiwan. It said Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) had on March 2 cited Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis as saying that the 17+1 platform between Beijing and Eastern Europe had brought Lithuania "almost no benefits." He was quoted as saying "I am not saying that we are leaving and it's the end, but we should really consider what is the useful way of building a relationship with China." Landsbergis also said the 17+1 platform is dividing Europe because countries have different positions on China.

(Comment: The 17+1 forum was initiated by Beijing in 2012 to promote business and investment relations between China and 17 other countries and gain a foothold within the EU. 12 of the countries are members of the European Union.)