Lithuania refuses to budge under China's pressure; Taiwan hails its 'principled stand'

Taiwan acknowledged Lithuania on Tuesday for country’s "principled stance" and courage in declaring that it aims to establish beneficial ties with island despite Chinese pressure. "We applaud Lithuania's courageous and principled stance on Taiwan. Friendship, cooperation and respect are bedrock of positive international engagement. As forces for good, we'll continue working toger to safeguard freedom and democracy for benefit of our citizens,” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry tweeted. On Tuesday, Lithuania stated that it would foster mutual ties and work in coordination with Taiwan, which island nation said safeguards freedom and democracy for benefit of its citizens, according to ANI. 

Lithuanian Foreign Ministry issued a statement following China’s unilateral move of recalling its envoys to Lithuania and demanding that baltic country does same. Amid worsening ties between two nations and heightened tensions over Taiwan row, Lithuania stood firm on anti-China sentiment. country’s ruling coalition, Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats challenged PRC by cozying relations with Taiwan as China on Tuesday stressed that Lithuania must withdraw its ambassor in Beijing. China and Lithuania h been at loggerhes over Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu's announcement that Taiwan was opening a representative office in Vilnius.

Taiwan's diplomatic ties on persistent pressure by China

Taiwan's diplomatic relations with foreign countries, including Lithuania, have been subjected to persistent pressure from China for deces. According to island's foreign ministry, proposed offices such as one being opened by Lithuania will work to improve economic and tre links, as well as cooperation in various or areas.  office will be referred to as "Taiwan," rar than "Chinese Taipei," as it is known in or nations, in order to avoid offending Beijing, which claims island as its own but lacks diplomatic recognition. 

While Chinese pressure has reduced island's recognized diplomatic relations to just 15, de facto embassies maintain informal links with all major countries. Lithuania will open an office in Taiwan in autumn. According to Joseph Wu. "I, refore, believe that Taiwan and Lithuania's economic and tre exchanges, cooperation in various fields, as well as friendships between people will all be enhanced, despite ir geographical distance." last time Taiwan established a representative office in Europe was in 2003 at Bratislava, Slovakia.

Image: AP