Advertisement
Taiwan
ChinaDiplomacy

Taiwan could gain from stand-off between Beijing and Lithuania but must brace for backlash: analysts

  • Taiwan has lauded Vilnius for its ‘resolute will’ to defend freedom and its national dignity, and hopes to develop relations with like-minded countries
  • Opening a de facto embassy in a country that also recognises Beijing could allow the island to establish a ‘dual recognition’ model, says DPP lawmaker

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
3
China’s embassy building in Vilnius, Lithuania. Taiwan in July said it would open a diplomatic outpost in the Baltic nation. Photo: EPA-EFE
Lawrence Chung
The stand-off between China and Lithuania over Taiwan has raised hopes in the self-ruled island: that it could win over the Baltic nation and perhaps other smaller European states in its long-running diplomatic tussle with the mainland.

But analysts warn that while it remains to be seen if Beijing will eventually cut official relations with Lithuania, Taiwan – which stands to gain through the stand-off – must prepare for a backlash from the mainland.

Beijing, which claims sovereignty of Taiwan and warns other countries against having official contact with the self-ruled island, recalled its ambassador to Lithuania on Tuesday. It did so in protest over the Baltic state’s decision to allow Taipei to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius bearing the name “Taiwan”, which it sees as a violation of its one-China policy.
Advertisement
The Lithuanian embassy in Beijing. China has demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing after Vilnius allowed Taiwan to set up a representative office under its own name. Photo: AFP
The Lithuanian embassy in Beijing. China has demanded Lithuania recall its envoy to Beijing after Vilnius allowed Taiwan to set up a representative office under its own name. Photo: AFP

Taipei, which has lauded Lithuania for its “resolute will” to defend freedom and its national dignity, said it would develop relations with like-minded countries.

Advertisement

“We will not back off because of outside pressure or coercion and will deepen our cooperation with the US to explore Taiwan’s international space,” Taiwanese foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said on Wednesday.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x