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Paulius Lukauskas from Lithuania
Photo: I-HWA CHENG / AFP
Paulius Lukauskas has taken up his post as Lithuania's representative in Taiwan's capital, Taipei.
This was confirmed by the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite pressure from China, Lithuania has thus started work in an office to represent its economic interests in Taiwan.
The move follows the establishment of a similar Taiwanese liaison office in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.
Since the office has "Taiwan" in its name, China has sparked a heated argument.
Beijing sees this as official recognition of the democratic island republic.
In response, China downgraded its diplomatic relations with the EU member and imposed economic sanctions.
A 28-strong delegation of representatives from Lithuanian high-tech companies, led by Deputy Economy Minister Karolis Zematis, is currently visiting Taiwan to promote cooperation.
The communist leadership claims power over Taiwan and sees the island's democratic republic only as part of the People's Republic.
It firmly rejects official contacts from other countries to Taipei, as shown by outraged reactions to recent visits by US delegations and European parliamentarians.
Parallels to the Ukraine war feared
After the visit of US top politician Nancy Pelosi, Beijing began large-scale maneuvers around Taiwan (read an interview here).
Among other things, a sea and air blockade and a possible conquest were practiced.
Eleven ballistic missiles were also launched, one of which flew directly over Taiwan not far from the capital for the first time.
It was the largest military show of force in decades.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has fueled fears that Beijing could use a similar approach in its dealings with Taiwan.
as/dpa