The government does not oppose the incoming Lithuanian government restoring relations with China, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday, adding that Taipei-Vilnius-Beijing relations are not a “zero-sum game.”
Lin made the comments during a legislative session when asked about remarks from incoming Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas, who said he wished to restore full diplomatic relations with China.
The rift between Lithuania and China began in 2021, following the inclusion of “Taiwanese” in the name of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius.
Photo: Reuters
In response, Beijing downgraded diplomatic ties with Vilnius and imposed trade restrictions.
Asked for a comment on whether the office name would be changed by the incoming Lithuanian government, Lin told Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Huang Jen (黃仁) that the name of the office has been agreed upon by both governments.
Bilateral discussions would be needed if either side wishes to amend the decision, he said.
“We do not oppose Lithuania’s desire to normalize relations with China, but doing so does not mean the Baltic state cannot maintain its relationship with Taiwan,” Lin said.
Taiwan-China-Lithuania trilateral relations are not a zero-sum game, he said, adding that Lithuania, as a sovereign state, can choose to engage with Taiwan and China as it wishes.
An English-language Lithuanian National Radio and Television report on Thursday last week quoted Paluckas as saying that the name of the representative office had been a “grave diplomatic mistake.”
However, Paluckas refrained from saying whether he would ask Taipei to change the name if Beijing demanded it.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS