Taiwanese office in Lithuania receives foreign ministry action plan to boost investment

The Taiwanese representative office in Lithuania has confirmed receiving a proposed action plan from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry aimed at increasing the office’s engagement in the country’s economy, LRT reports.

In a statement to the ELTA news agency, the office said it had received the Foreign Ministry’s draft plan during a recent meeting, describing the discussions as “very constructive.”

“Since this process is ongoing and requires joint efforts, our office cannot disclose further details at this time,” the statement read.

The office reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Lithuania, adding that future cooperation would build on the “solid and trustworthy foundation” established in recent years. “Looking ahead, with the trust and support of both governments and peoples, we anticipate many more success stories to share,” the statement said.

The Taiwanese office opened in Vilnius over four years ago amid plans to expand collaboration and attract major investments to Lithuania. While data from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation shows a significant increase in direct investment flows from Taiwan during this period, the total volume remains modest.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys previously stated that Lithuania was moving from “declarative aspirations” to a concrete plan to deepen economic ties with Taiwan, including identifying specific projects and mutual benefits.

The establishment of the Taiwanese office in late 2021 sharply strained relations between Vilnius and Beijing, as China views Taiwan as a province without the right to open representative offices in countries with which China maintains official ties. In response, China imposed strict diplomatic and economic sanctions on Lithuania, prompting the European Commission to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization in early 2022 over what it called discriminatory trade practices. The EU later withdrew the complaint in December 2023.

Amid lingering tensions, discussions have resurfaced among Lithuanian politicians about adjusting the country’s China policy. Some Social Democrats have advocated for warming relations, while Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė has suggested renaming the Taiwanese office to the “Taipei Office.” President Gitanas Nausėda has indicated Lithuania could restore diplomatic ties with China at the chargé d’affaires level if Beijing is willing.

China has stated that dialogue remains open but insists Lithuania must first “correct its mistake” regarding the Taiwanese office.