TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Talks between Lithuania and China to improve diplomatic relations resumed a month ago, but they will not affect the name of Taiwan’s representative office in the Baltic country, a senior Lithuanian official said Thursday.

For the first time in Europe, Taiwan was allowed to open a mission in Vilnius in 2021 using the name “Taiwanese Representative Office.” As a result, China recalled its ambassador, downgraded diplomatic relations, and initiated trade sanctions against Lithuania.

Prime Minister Gitautas Paluckas told the media recently that Lithuania would not sacrifice Taiwan’s office, nor make any concessions nor apologies, per CNA. Earlier, Paluckas had said several times he wanted to improve relations with China, a plan which received the approval of President Gitanas Nauseda.

As a member of the EU, it was normal for Lithuania to serve as a target of attention from China, Paluckas said. Remigijus Motuzas, the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Lithuanian parliament or Seimas, said Beijing contacted Vilnius just a few days before the World Trade Organization was set to rule on China’s sanctions against Lithuania.

Beijing demanded the Baltic nation respect the “one China” principle, but Motuzas said Lithuania was doing so, as Taiwan’s office was a trade organ and not an official diplomatic body. According to Motuzas, Taiwan had asked to sign a government-to-government agreement with Lithuania, but because Vilnius did not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation, it had turned down the request, though other forms of cooperation were still continuing.

At present, the only subject Lithuania was discussing with China was the restoration of ambassador-level relations, Motuzas said. He mentioned the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration as the reason why some EU countries wanted to improve trade relations with China.