Lithuania’s reported request to rename Taiwan office sparks dispute

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry reportedly asked Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius to change its name, renewing debate over the country’s relations with Taiwan and China, LRT reported.

News portal Delfi reported on Monday that the ministry had given representatives a document in September urging the office to adopt a new name by October 1, the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Lithuania reportedly offered to ease trade conditions with Taiwan and create a special envoy post for Taiwan affairs in return.

The issue dates back to 2021, when the government led by Ingrida Šimonytė opened the office. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and imposed economic pressure in response.

Opposition parties have accused the Social Democratic government of pressuring democratic Taiwan and criticised efforts to improve relations with authoritarian China. President Gitanas Nausėda said he knew about the confidential initiative and backed Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys. He argued that closer ties with Taiwan had brought Lithuania no economic benefit.

Former Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said in February that changing the office’s name to Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, could be a compromise used in many European countries. Budrys has said he sees fundamental principles that Lithuania must protect, but rejected claims that the ministry pressured the office, describing diplomatic discussions as broad and open.

Taiwan’s representative office said on Tuesday it had no intention of changing its name.