Latvia and Estonia withdraw from China co-operation group

The Chinese national flag can be seen in Beijing, China.

This move is made during Western criticism of China's increasing military pressure on Taiwan, an island democratically ruled by China that China claims to be its territory.

According to the Latvian Foreign Ministry: "Past participation under the 16+1 format has not produced the desired economic results."

After the opening of a de facto Taiwanese embassy by Taiwan late last year, relations between China and Lithuania deteriorated.

It stated: "Latvia's continued participation to the China-led Cooperation Framework with Central and Eastern European Countries is not in line with our strategic goals in the current international climate."

Both countries made statements Thursday that they will continue to work toward "constructive, pragmatic relations with China" and respect the rules-based international system.

Estonia's foreign ministry could not be reached immediately for comment.

Estonian and Latvian embassies of China in Riga, Tallinn, Estonia, did not immediately respond when asked for their opinion.

China is a strategic competitor in certain areas. However, the European Union seeks to encourage Beijing's reform of trade rules at The World Trade Organization. This is despite Beijing sanctioning certain European Parliament members and penalizing Lithuania economically.

Bulgaria, Croatia and the Czech Republic remain in the co-operative format.