Lithuania has agreed to let Taiwan set up a representative office in its capital city Vilnius. The official name of the office is to be “the Taiwanese Representative Office”. Taiwan’s foreign missions usually are called “Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices” to avoid controversy over the sovereignty issue with China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory.
Taiwan has already sent Lithuania a gift of cream puffs as a token of thanks after the country gave Taiwan a donation of COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that Taiwan will set up a representative office in Vilnius, Lithuania.
What’s more, Lithuania is even taking the bold step of letting Taiwan’s office in its capital use the word Taiwan in its official title, much to Beijing’s ire. It is China’s first diplomatic ally to do so.
China is not taking it well. Upon hearing the news, China recalled its ambassador to Lithuania and demanded that Lithuania withdraw its ambassador to Beijing as well.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said Lithuania’s firm protection of its national dignity and freedom is admirable. She said Taiwan’s new representative office aims to build closer ties with the Baltic nation in the areas of trade, technology, education, and culture.
Lawmaker Lo Chih-cheng says China’s zero sum game is forcing other countries to choose between Taiwan and China. This goes against global expectations as every country has the right to decide how they want to build ties with other nations.
Lithuania’s foreign ministry said it regrets Beijing’s decision and is “determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan.”