In a diplomatic breakthrough, Taiwan on Thursday opened a representative office in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius after gaining approval back in July. It is the self-governing island’s first de facto embassy in Europe. Elsewhere in Europe and North America, Taiwan’s international offices use the name Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices to avoid conflict with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.
The office will be headed by Eric Huang, who is currently the island’s chief of mission in Latvia. “We are very happy that we have the opportunity to be a facilitator and promoter for the relations between Taiwan and Lithuania,” Huang said. While he acknowledged the “meaningful” significance of using the name Taiwan, Huang added that “We will not emphasise too much about the geopolitical context. As the representative office of my country, what I am focused on is to promote a substantive relationship.”
At the opening ceremony of the representative office, Taiwanese diplomats hailed the increased potential for cooperation in industries such as semiconductors, lasers, and fintech. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the opening, saying that it would “charter a new and promising course” in their bilateral relations. In a tweet, the ministry said it was “deeply grateful” to the Lithuanian government and “friends worldwide” for making the “great day possible.”
The news was met with criticism from China. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement that the Chinese government “expresses strong protest over and firm objection” to the “extremely egregious act,” and “will take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
She reasoned that the embassy “creates the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan” in the world, flagrantly violates the one-China principle, and renounces the political commitment made by Lithuania in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations” with Beijing.
Hua also warned Lithuania of consequences, saying that the move “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs.” “The Lithuanian side shall be responsible for all the ensuing consequences. We demand that the Lithuanian side immediately correct its wrong decision,” she said.
The spokesperson also asserted Taiwan as being “an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that warned Taiwanese authorities saying that “Seeking “Taiwan independence” by soliciting foreign support is a totally misguided attempt that is doomed to fail.”
However, the remarks have not deterred Lithuania. The European Union member country also has plans to open its own office in Taiwan in early 2022, although an exact date has not been announced. Lithuania is among 15 countries to hold diplomatic ties with the island.