China on Friday refuted criticism from the United States and the European Union over its recent "legitimate" move against Lithuania, saying some countries and individuals are misleading public opinion over the issue.

A file photo of Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Minsitry. (Photo: CFP)

China announced on Tuesday it had decided to recall its ambassador to Lithuania and demanded the Lithuanian government recall its ambassador to China, saying Lithuania's decision to allow the Taiwan authorities to open a "representative office" under the name of "Taiwan" brazenly violates the one-China principle.

Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said the Chinese side strongly opposes U.S. criticism of China's decision, and urges the EU not to send any "wrong signal" over an issue concerning China's core interests or make new trouble for the Sino-EU relations.

"To follow the one-China policy, one must abide by the one-China policy in the strictest terms, including cutting off official contacts in any form with the Taiwan authorities," said Hua.

The U.S. State Department has recently claimed all countries can make their own one-China policy framework independently, free from any external threats, and the European Union External Action has insisted the opening of a Taiwan "representative office" by a EU member state does not violate the one-China policy.