In a rare diplomatic gesture that underscores China's zero-tolerance of any move that violates the one-China principle, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that China has decided to recall its ambassador to Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian government recall its ambassador to China.

The Foreign Ministry has also made it clear that the decision was in response to the Baltic state's decision to allow the Taiwan authorities to open a "representative office" under the name of "Taiwan" despite China's repeated representations and articulation of the potential consequences.

In July, Taiwan said it has reached an agreement with Lithuania to establish a "representative office" in its capital, Vilnius, under the name of "Taiwan", rather than "Taipei" as customary. The decision immediately drew strong opposition from Beijing as it constitutes a blatant violation of the one-China principle and could lead to a change in the formal ties between China and the Baltic country.

The Chinese mainland does not oppose normal economic and cultural exchanges between countries and the island, but the use of "Taiwan" in the name of the new mission instead of the normal reference to "Taipei" shows the malicious intentions of the island's separatist forces and the complicity of the Lithuanian government.

As a country that has established formal diplomatic ties with China, Lithuania knows that upholding the one-China principle is the basis for such ties.

The one-China principle is both a consensus of the international community and an internationally recognized norm for countries to establish and develop bilateral ties with China. Lithuania should rectify its wrong decision.

China remains steadfast in pursuing national reunification. It has both the resolve and the capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Its latest diplomatic decision once again demonstrates how committed it is to defending and upholding the one-China principle.

The move can also be seen as a stern warning to other foreign forces hoping to play the "Taiwan card" and make waves in the Taiwan Straits. The United States, for one, has been trying by hook or by crook to provoke China over the Taiwan question, which has emboldened the pro-independence forces on the island.

Both Taiwan secessionists and their foreign supporters should know that Taiwan and independence are mutually exclusive.