Taiwan's foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, has traveled to Lithuania along with a delegation of 20 drone companies. It comes as Lithuania recently elected a new government that's hinted at restoring ties with China while downgrading ties to Taiwan. To learn more, TaiwanPlus spoke to Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, assistant professor at National Dong Hwa University.
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00:00So, Foreign Minister Lin Jialong made a trip to Lithuania.
00:04Why is this a significant visit?
00:06Taiwan-Lithuania relations have really taken up to a different level, I would say.
00:12And this has come in response to Lithuania's decision to rethink its relationship with
00:18China and to look at ways that actually serve Lithuania's interests as much as they contribute
00:25to Taiwan's efforts to protect itself from the pressure that both countries, both sides
00:33have been facing in recent years.
00:35Of course, Taiwan has been under a lot more pressure from China, but I think Lithuania
00:39has made this decision in order to, as I said, make a pro-democracy, pro-Lithuania move as
00:47opposed to a move that would be seen as Beijing likes to project these moves as being anti-China.
00:55So Minister Lin was leading a delegation of 20 drone companies there.
00:59How can Lithuania help Taiwan boost its defence?
01:02So conversations have started between Lithuania and Taiwan in terms of how to best work together
01:09and cooperate in a way that contributes to the resilience of both countries.
01:16They're both vulnerable to aggressive neighbours.
01:19And I think this is something that has pulled them closer.
01:22And these conversations are ongoing.
01:25I think both countries, as well as the EU as a whole, is learning from Russia's invasion
01:30of Ukraine that is ongoing.
01:32And I think the Ukrainian response to Russian aggression, which has included being creative
01:39in the way of using low cost, or at least relatively speaking, low cost and inexpensive
01:46but easy to use drone technology, which is something that Ukraine has successfully used
01:53and explored and is using.
01:56And I think Taiwan being exposed to a threat from China that has been growing, I think
02:03there are lessons to be learned.
02:04Lithuania has hinted at a shift in its relations with Taiwan, while saying it may restore ties
02:10with China.
02:11Should we expect to see a change in relations between Vilnius and Taipei?
02:15Well, at this stage, things are developing and I think we will have to wait and see in
02:21what direction Vilnius goes under the new government.
02:24I think it is clear that there is no, I would say, there is no return to business as usual.
02:32At the same time, the China factor is something that has to be considered as a constant factor
02:39in the EU's engagement with the country, as well as individual member states.
02:46So I expect this to continue to be, in a way, a challenge for every single member state,
02:53including Lithuania, to see how they can accommodate a relationship and cooperation with Taiwan
02:59without diplomatic recognition, while China remains the EU's most, one of its most significant
03:05trade partners, but a partner that it no longer trusts.
03:09So the strategic distrust in EU-China relations has, in a way, brought in or enabled or made
03:16space for more Taiwan in the EU's reflection.