This is what she said when the Social Democrats were considering normalizing relations with China. Relations between Vilnius and Beijing soured a few years ago, when Lithuania opened a Taiwanese representative office.
“It should be understood that the name was given by the Taiwanese themselves, and the question would be for the Taiwanese here, whether they are ready to rename their representative office, or whether some other decisions would follow,” I.Šimonytė told Žiniai Radio on Thursday.
“It’s not as straightforward as some people think there is a simple solution here,” she added.
In Lithuanian and English, the representative office of Taipei in Vilnius is named “Taiwaniečių”, and in Chinese, the name “Taiwan” is used in the name. Beijing sees this as the island’s attempts to act as an independent country.
China considers independent and democratic Taiwan its territory and promises to take it back someday, if necessary – by force.
“It was the first (Taiwan-BNS) representation, no matter what the name, after a gap of many years, after a very, very long gap. For all this long time, China managed to convince the states not to open new representative offices”, stressed I.Šimonytė.
The normalization of relations with China has recently been proposed by President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, the candidate of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party that won the Seimas elections.
G. Paluckas told BNS last week that he would seek for the Lithuanian ambassador to return to work in Beijing, and the Chinese ambassador to Vilnius.
At that time, he called the opening of the Taiwanese representative office a “gross diplomatic mistake”.
I.Šimonytė called such an initiative of a potential future head of the Government unwise on Wednesday.
She emphasized that China made the decision to downgrade bilateral diplomatic relations with Lithuania unilaterally.
“If there really is a chance to change this issue, China can change it perfectly,” said I.Šimonytė on Thursday.
“But if this means some conditions for Lithuania or the Taiwanese representation, for our colleagues in Taiwan, such a statement that we will find some common interest, I find it difficult to find that interest. It’s a shame that during all this time the situation has become very complicated in the sense that we know who is helping Russia to wage war against Ukraine,” she said.
G. Paluckas said in an interview with BNS last week that his government would seek to restore full-fledged diplomatic relations with China, but did not intend to make excessive concessions.
President G. Nausėda also advocates the normalization of relations with China, but he emphasizes that it must be of mutual interest.
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#Premier #Taiwan #decide #change #Taiwanese #representative #office #Business
**Interview with Ingrida Šimonytė, Prime Minister of Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Prime Minister Šimonytė. Recently, there have been discussions about normalizing relations with China following Lithuania’s opening of a Taiwanese representative office. Could you elaborate on what prompted these discussions?
**I. Šimonytė:** Thank you for having me. The deterioration of our relations with China primarily stemmed from our decision to allow Taiwan to establish a representative office in Vilnius. This was a significant step after many years where China had persuaded other nations not to open such offices. Now, we find ourselves at a crossroads, considering how we can balance our diplomatic ties without compromising our values.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the name of the office, *Taiwaniečių*, is significant. Can you explain how the name had an impact on the situation?
**I. Šimonytė:** Yes, the naming of the office matters greatly, especially from a diplomatic standpoint. China perceives its relationship with Taiwan as a matter of territorial integrity, so the use of “Taiwan” in the name is seen as a direct affront to their claims. The Taiwanese chose this name, and the decision on whether to rename it lies with them, which complicates the situation significantly.
**Interviewer:** President Nausėda and Gintautas Paluckas have suggested a return to normalized relations with China. What are your thoughts on this approach?
**I. Šimonytė:** It’s a nuanced issue. While normalizing relations might seem straightforward, it is not as simple as it appears. We have to consider the implications for our foreign policy and regional stability. I’m not dismissing the idea outright, but we must carefully weigh our options and the potential repercussions of any decisions we make—both domestically and internationally.
**Interviewer:** Gintautas Paluckas referred to the opening of the Taiwanese office as a “gross diplomatic mistake.” Do you agree with that assessment?
**I. Šimonytė:** The decision to establish the office was made with our values and relationships in mind, and while it has led to significant tensions, I believe it reflects our commitment to democracy and our support for Taiwan. However, political landscapes shift over time, and reevaluation is important. My focus remains on safeguarding Lithuania’s interests while navigating these complex international waters.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for shedding light on these important matters, Prime Minister Šimonytė.
**I. Šimonytė:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the dialogue open regarding our international relationships.
