Lithuania opens a trade office in Taiwan in the face of worsening relations with China

Nov. 7 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation has reported this Monday that it has proceeded to open its commercial office in Taiwan as relations with China worsen due to the rapprochement between the Government and the authorities of the island.

The Economy Minister, Ausrine Armonaite, applauded the “achievements in terms of cooperation with Taiwan” and said “she has no doubt that this decision will intensify work with this promising market.”

Armonaite, who has clarified that it is a commercial office and not a diplomatic one, has indicated that the parties have completed the necessary processes to proceed to export fish, eggs and milk to the island.

The move has sparked increased tension with China and comes a year after Taipei opened a similar office in the Lithuanian capital, something that has been heavily criticized from Beijing.

In October, the country’s president, Gitanas Nauseda, asserted that China’s actions and its support for Russia in the context of the invasion of Ukraine show Beijing as a “systematic rival” of the European Union.