2021-08-11
China’s Retaliation against Lithuania Backfires: the DPP Urges All Parties to Support Lithuania
Regarding the plan for Taiwan and Lithuania to set up representative offices in each other, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled its ambassador in Lithuania and asked the Lithuanian government to recall its representative to China. The DPP Spokesperson Peifen Hsieh said today (11th) that it is natural for democratic countries to establish friendly relations, and no country should be retaliated for being friendly with Taiwan. The DPP regrets China’s punitive diplomatic actions.
Spokesperson Hsieh stated that China’s move is obviously a threat to Lithuania to change its decision. However, Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially opined that it will not be intimidated by any country. Lithuanian Members of Parliament have also publicly announced that they will not be sorry for their decision to set up a representative office in Taiwan. The DPP fully supports Lithuania, which shares the idea of freedom and democracy with Taiwan, and does not bow to China’s bullying.
Spokesperson Hsieh further stated that Nabila Massrali, EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressed regret for China’s retaliation, and Ned Price, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, also condemned it. It can be seen that the international community has adopted a critical attitude towards the threat of China. Taiwan being a democratic country, Spokesperson Hsieh stated that the DPP expects all political parties to stand up for Lithuania. The DPP calls upon the KMT, the largest opposition party, to publicly affirm the diplomatic breakthrough of Taiwan and Lithuania’s mutual establishment of representative offices, and make it clear to Beijing that China’s bullying attempts to silence democracies can only backfire.
Spokesperson Hsieh pointed out that although the KMT is in the midst of the election of its party chairman, this is the moment for the chairman candidates of the KMT to express their attitude with courage, rather than standing silent whenever it comes to China. As our supportive ally is under threat, Taiwan should unanimously show our determination to support our friend regardless of party affiliation.
