Taipei: Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has expressed strong opposition to any potential moves by Lithuania’s new government to alter the name of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius, citing significant diplomatic implications. Landsbergis, who is currently visiting Taiwan, emphasized during an interview that succumbing to China’s pressure to change the name would be an “enormous mistake.”
According to Focus Taiwan, Landsbergis stated that the name of the office, the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, is more than a mere designation; it is a representation of Taiwan’s identity. He criticized Beijing’s persistent demands for a name change, asserting Lithuania’s decision as a matter of national sovereignty and principle. The controversy dates back to 2021 when the office was established under its current name, prompting immediate objections from China.
China, which regards Taiwan as its own territory, responded to Lithuania’s decision by recalling its ambassador and expelling the Lithuanian ambassador in Beijing. Furthermore, China imposed economic sanctions, including the suspension of freight rail services and restrictions on Lithuanian products entering the Chinese market. These measures were part of China’s broader strategy to pressure Lithuania into altering the office’s name to avoid terms suggesting Taiwan’s independence, a standard practice for countries without formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Landsbergis, who led the Homeland Union (Lithuanian Christian Democrats) until 2024, expressed concerns about the new Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas’ intentions to restore full diplomatic relations with China. While Paluckas has not commented on the office name issue, Landsbergis warned against making concessions to Beijing, attributing the strained relations to China’s own actions.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has indicated that Taipei does not oppose Lithuania’s efforts to normalize relations with China, suggesting that bilateral ties with Taiwan could be maintained concurrently. Lin highlighted that any changes to the office’s name would require mutual agreement between Taiwan and Lithuania.
Landsbergis, who advocates for strong ties with Taiwan, expressed that Lithuania’s support for Taiwan aligns with its broader commitment to freedom and democracy, values deeply ingrained in the Lithuanian identity. His visit to Taiwan underscores these shared values and the importance of maintaining robust diplomatic relations between the two countries.