Lithuania set to open trade office in Taiwan in September amid growing tensions with China

Lithuania on July 23 announced that it is planning to inaugurate its tre office in Taipei in September in an effort to bolster ties with island nation. move is being speculated to infuriate China that h earlier registered contention over Baltic nation's opening of a representative office in Taiwan. Lithuania's Vice Economy and Innovation Minister Jovita Neliupšienė declared that  Lithuanian government is now planning to open its tre representative office in Taipei on September 12,  Baltic Times reported.  tre office is likely to be located at World Tre Center near Taipei 101 in Xinyi District, a foreign diplomat posted to Taipei, familiar with development, told Central News Agency, separately. 

Baltic nation 'well prepared' to inaugrate such offices in Taiwan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Lithuania in a statement clarified that new office would assist in strengning  tre and commerce between two allies, where necessary. Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Ausrine Armonaite also iterated that Baltic nation is "well prepared" to inaugurate such offices in Taiwan, dismissing concerns me vocal by mainland China. Ministry deputy spokesman Tsuei Ching-lin and country's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu h me an official announcement that Lithuania would open a representative office in Vilnius, Lithuania in September, and that it h alrey initiated  amendment process to set up an office in Taiwan.

“We are fully rey to open a Lithuanian tre office,” Armonaite said. “And I just sent a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, so that we could receive official certificate so that we can open it officially, but preparatory work is alrey being conducted. And we are fully rey now.”

In 2021, last year, Lithuania’s parliament h approved a legislative bill that allowed for country to establish a representative office in countries like Taiwan, where Baltic state did not have formal diplomatic relations.This would enable country to explore overseas business opportunities, as well as strike new tre deals to facilitate business. Lithuania, although has been facing tremendous pressure from Beijing since after it opened a de facto embassy in capital, Vilnius, under its own name that did not represent links with China. While Chinese authorities downgred diplomatic ties with Lithuania, y also categorically urged Baltic nation to correct its “mistakes” or mainland would sever ties. Taiwan has also been importing food items from Lithuania such as dairy and beef, which has angered China.