Lithuanian trade delegation in Taiwan ahead of representative office opening
- Visit shows ‘spirit of mutual support and solidarity … as loyal partners on the front line of democracy’, Taiwanese foreign ministry says
- Lithuanian official last month said the office was due to start operations on Monday but there has been no further word on the opening
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The European Union member’s decision to swap representative offices with Taiwan has set off a bitter dispute with Beijing, which sees the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary.
The visit demonstrated “the spirit of mutual support and solidarity between Taiwan and Lithuania as loyal partners on the front line of democracy”, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
A 28-member group from Lithuania comprising government officials and tech-sector representatives landed in Taipei over the weekend, the ministry said, but there was no further news on the opening of Lithuania’s representative office in Taipei.
Lithuanian vice-minister for the economy and innovation Jovita Neliupsience told Baltic News Service last month that the office was expected to start operations on Monday.
But Vilnius’ first representative to Taiwan, Paulius Lukauskas, did not comment on the planned opening at a trade event for the visiting delegation on Monday.
Keeping big brothers at bay: why Lithuania is taking on China
Beijing balks at any international support that might lend a sense of international legitimacy to Taiwan.
Most countries officially recognise Beijing over Taipei but maintain trade and unofficial relations with the island.
Lithuania incurred China’s wrath by allowing Taiwan to open a representative office in Vilnius under its own name last year – a significant diplomatic departure that triggered Beijing to downgrade relations with the Baltic country.
Lithuanian exports have been stopped at China’s border, with widespread reports that European exporters have been cautioned by Beijing clients to cut all ties with the country.
Beijing has also reacted with anger to visits by Western delegations and staged massive military exercises to protest US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taipei last month.
Its unprecedented drills triggered widespread support in the United States for solidarity with Taipei, with 28 members of Congress travelling to Taiwan so far this year.
Many European powers have also grown more vocal in support of Taiwan in recent years, while Russia invading Ukraine has deepened fears Beijing might do the same to its neighbour.
