The foreign ministry had praised the US, France, the UK, and Germany for voicing their solidarity with Lithuania as it faces economic pressure from China. The four countries held a conference call on Wednesday, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Joanne Ou said on Thursday that their bravery demonstrates the importance of democracy.
China recalled its ambassador from Vilnius and demanded that Lithuania recall its ambassador from Beijing after Lithuania announced that it would allow Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital. Since then, Beijing has threatened Lithuania by enacting sanctions and suspending cargo train services to the country.
Taiwan and Lithuania have repeatedly shown their support for each other amid the COVID-19 pandemic by exchanging face masks and COVID-19 vaccine doses. Ou says that Taiwan, Lithuania, and their supporters are standing on the right side of history, and that she believes democracy will ultimately triumph.
The foreign ministry says that Taiwan sent a committee to Lithuania in October, and signed six agreements with the country. In addition, Taiwan and Lithuania have invested heavily in each other's markets. The foreign ministry says that forming stronger ties with countries that share Taiwan’s values is a way to support democracy in the face of authoritarianism.