Taiwan’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it will continue to support Lithuania on many levels. That’s as China has imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions on Lithuania for welcoming a Taiwanese Representative Office.
In March, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Taiwan is working on enabling Lithuania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to become a part of the semiconductor supply chain. Taiwan sent a delegation to the three countries in March to discuss related cooperation. In February, The Taiwan and Lithuania Center for Semiconductors and Materials Science opened in Vilnius. As Lithuania is a global leader in laser technology, the center’s first project will integrate Lithuania’s laser technology and Taiwan’s crystal growth technology to develop advanced thin disc laser (TDL) systems.
Taiwan has imported over 100 containers of Lithuania rum, milk and agricultural products to help offset Chinese economic sanctions.
Taiwan also has a US$200 million investment fund for Lithuania which Eric Huang, the head of the Taiwanese Representative Office, said will likely be used in semiconductor, laser and biotechnology. Taiwan also has a US$ 1 billion credit fund to support investment between the two countries.
Western nations have also voiced support for Lithuania. On March 31, the Danish Parliament voted 103 in favor and 0 against to support Lithuania as it faces Chinese coercion. The resolution supports Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and welcomes the initiation of WTO dispute consultations with China over Lithuania.
On March 23, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bipartisan resolution that commends and supports Lithuania for strengthening ties with Taiwan. The resolution also supports Lithuania’s firm stance against Chinese coercion. In the European Parliament, this year 41 members wrote a joint letter calling on EU leaders to support Lithuania.