Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Taiwan Lithuania In the island’s diplomatic breakthrough, Beijing ignored its strong opposition to this move, and Beijing once again expressed anger and warned of the consequences.
Taipei announced on Thursday that it has officially opened an office in Lithuania, using the name TaiwanThis is a major diplomatic deviation, ignoring Beijing’s pressure movement.
Lithuania revealed in July that it had agreed to allow autonomous Taiwan to open a representative office in its name. This is the island’s first new diplomatic outpost in Taiwan. Europe In 18 years.
This move triggered strong condemnation from China, Withdrew its ambassador Lithuania also asked Vilnius to do the same, and it finally did.
Other Taiwan offices in Europe and the United States use the name of Taipei City and avoid mentioning the island itself, ie China Claims to be its own territory.
China has stepped up its efforts to allow other countries to restrict or cut off interaction with Taiwan. Only 15 countries have established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China condemned the opening up as an “extremely bad behavior,” saying that any attempt to seek Taiwan independence was “doomed to fail.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “We ask Lithuania to immediately correct the wrong decision.”
Lithuania’s decision to open its own representative office in Taiwan also angered Beijing, although no specific date has been set. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the opening of the office will “open a new and hopeful path” for Taiwan’s relations with Lithuania.
There is huge potential for cooperation in semiconductor, laser, financial technology and other industries. “Taiwan will cherish and promote this new friendship based on our common values.”
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the move was a “crude inference” on China’s internal affairs.
“The Lithuanian side is responsible for all consequences resulting from this,” it said.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Lithuanian office will be headed by Huang Zhiqiang, the current head of Taipei’s delegation to neighboring Latvia.
“We are very happy to have the opportunity to be a promoter and promoter of relations between Taiwan and Lithuania,” Huang said.
Regarding the meaning of using the name Taiwan, he said, “Of course it makes sense.”
“We will not emphasize the geopolitical background too much. As our representative office, my concern is to promote substantive relationships.”
The opening of the Vilnius office is the latest sign that some Baltic and Central European countries are seeking to establish closer relations with Taiwan, even if it angered China.
Last month, a delegation of Taiwanese officials visited Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania, provoking anger in Beijing.
The dispute with Lithuania in Taiwan also attracted the United States, which provided support to Vilnius to withstand pressure from China.
Many other countries have de facto embassies in Taipei, including several EU member states of Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
