Taipei Downplays Suspension of Economic Cooperation Plan With Lithuania
Taiwan's foreign ministry says it will continuing deepening exchanges with Lithuania after an economic cooperation plan between the two sides has reportedly been paused. This comes as Lithuania forms a new coalition government and says it's in talks with China to normalize relations.
Taiwan-Lithuania Ties
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s foreign ministry says it will continue deepening exchanges with Lithuania. That’s after a bilateral economic cooperation plan was reportedly put on hold.
Hsiao Kuang-wei (SPOKESPERSON, TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTRY):
Since the establishment of [our] representative offices government and civic exchanges in various fields have become increasingly frequent and there’ve been joint efforts for [more] cooperation and exchange. The goal is to create joint economic benefits and build democratic economic resilience. Our friendly cooperation is not influenced by any third party. Since the establishment of [our] representative offices exchanges in various fields between our governments and people have become increasingly frequent and there’s a push for [more] cooperation and exchange. The goal is to create joint economic benefits and build democratic economic resilience. Our friendly cooperation is not influenced by any third party. [Taiwan] will continue to deepen cooperation with Lithuania and other like-minded countries.
REPORTER:
Lithuania’s foreign ministry said the suspension is due to changes in domestic politics. A new coalition government has just formed in Lithuania.
It also comes as the European country says it’s in talks with China to normalize diplomatic relations. One lawmaker further said Lithuania has agreed to let China establish a charge d’affaires office there – but neither Beijing nor Vilnius has confirmed this.
China downgraded relations with Lithuania after Taiwan established a representative office there in 2021.
