DistantNews
Support us
🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Lithuania's New PM Calls Taiwan Office Decision 'Maybe Too Brave'

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • New Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius called the 2021 decision to allow Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy "maybe too brave."
  • China downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania in late 2021 after the Taiwanese office opened, impacting trade.
  • Sinkevicius aims to "normalise" relations with China, seeking a return to appointing ambassadors.

New Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius stated on Tuesday that the 2021 decision to permit Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in the country was "maybe too brave." His comments came on his first day in office as he signaled a desire to repair relations with China.

China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania in late 2021 following the opening of what it termed a "Taiwanese" representative office. This move by the European Union and NATO member nation of 2.9 million people also negatively impacted trade ties between the two countries.

We want a return to how it was. We've had a long-term relationship with China, and then there were these political decisions - brave ones, maybe too brave, maybe standing out from the context

— Mindaugas SinkeviciusReferring to the decision to allow Taiwan to open a representative office.

Sinkevicius, whose government's manifesto was approved on Tuesday, aims to "normalise" the relationship with China, including the re-appointment of ambassadors. Beijing considers self-governing Taiwan its territory and objects to such offices being established in countries with formal ties to China. Other nations typically use "Taipei" representative offices to avoid implying statehood.

We want same relationship level as the rest of Europe.

— Mindaugas SinkeviciusExpressing the desire to normalize relations with China.

Speaking to parliament before the vote, Sinkevicius referred to the Taiwanese representation as "brave ones, maybe too brave, maybe standing out from the context." He expressed a desire for a return to the previous relationship level enjoyed with China, similar to that of other European nations.

Since the office's opening, China has pressured companies with Lithuanian ties and restricted imports of Lithuanian products like beef and dairy, prompting a World Trade Organization challenge from the EU. The EU also has an "anti-coercion instrument" to counter economic pressure from third countries. Sinkevicius believes relations can be restored without altering the Taiwanese representation, and the Foreign Ministry is exploring options to resolve the situation.

The door for communication

— Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonStated in February regarding relations with Lithuania, but called for concrete actions from Lithuania.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog