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Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu speaks during the press conference to open a representation in Lithuania - called "Taiwan"
Photo: AP
In the struggle with Beijing for its international status, Taiwan achieved success: for the first time, the democratic island republic in Europe can open a representation under its own name. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu announced that an office would be set up in Lithuania which would be called the "Taiwan Representation". Since Beijing only sees the island as part of the People's Republic and exerts pressure on other states, similar representative offices in other countries only have "Taipei" in their names. Taipei is the name of the capital of Taiwan.
Foreign Office spokesman Zhao Lijian protested immediately in Beijing and spoke of an attempt to make Taiwan independent.
"China rejects any form of formal relations between other countries and Taiwan and calls on the Baltic nation to follow the one-China principle." With this doctrine and its political and economic weight, Beijing tries to isolate Taiwan from the world.
China sees democratic Taiwan as part of its own territory.
Only 15 states, including Eswatini and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, recognize Taiwan and have to forego diplomatic relations with China.
Germany without an official representative in Taiwan
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, which maintains diplomatic relations with Beijing, said it would open a trade office in Taipei this fall.
"Lithuania is interested in expanding cooperation with Taiwan in various areas," a statement said.
The focus of the cooperation should therefore be the »development of economic relationships and cultural exchange«.
Germany is also only represented by an unofficial representative in Taiwan.
Lithuania's stance is a setback for China in Eastern Europe, where more and more states are turning away from Beijing in disappointment.
On the one hand, hopes for economic cooperation have not been fulfilled; on the other hand, criticism of China is growing.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Lithuania.
"We look forward to working even more closely with like-minded partners and friends."
The USA welcomed the development.
"All countries should be free to cultivate closer ties and greater cooperation with Taiwan - a leading democracy, great economy and a force for good in the world," said the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the unofficial representative of the US government in Taipei, with.
In line with its “one-China policy”, the US supported a strengthening of Taiwan's international partnerships.
lau / dpa / AFP
