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Smiling at the opening: The Lithuanian representative in Taiwan, Paulius Lukauskas (right), and his Taiwanese colleague Vincent Yao
Photo:
- / AFP
The announcement of a Lithuanian office to promote trade in Taiwan raised tensions with China.
The opening has now been announced.
"I'm happy that we were able to open this representation," said Lithuanian Economy Minister Ausrine Armonaite, who stressed that her country was "not establishing diplomatic relations" with Taiwan, but "trade relations."
The Taiwanese foreign minister welcomed a "new page in friendly and cooperative relations between Taiwan and Lithuania."
The two countries are "close partners on the front line against authoritarianism," he said.
The opening of the commercial office follows an announcement by Taiwan to invest €3.5 million in a Lithuanian laser company.
A Taiwanese de facto embassy had already been opened in Lithuania a year earlier.
At that time for the first time under the name Taiwan, only a few countries worldwide recognize Taiwan as a state.
Taiwan actually calls its representative offices "Taipei representation" to prevent Chinese reprisals.
Relations between Vilnius and Beijing strained
Relations between China and the Baltic country have been strained since Lithuania last year allowed a Taiwanese representative office to be opened under the island's name.
Beijing claims power over Taiwan and regards the island's democratic republic as only part of the People's Republic.
It firmly rejects official contacts from other countries to Taiwan.
China had already announced in August that it would cut ties with Lithuania in the transport sector.
Beijing also attacked Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who was the only high-ranking representative of an EU member state to publicly support US politician Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan.
In July, Vilnius also drew Beijing's ire when the country received a Taiwanese delegation led by Speaker of Parliament You Si-kun.
hba/dpa/AFP