Taiwan will continue deepening friendship and expanding exchanges with Lithuania while promoting regional and international peace, stability and prosperity, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Harry Ho-jen Tseng Jan. 5.
Both sides harnessed the power of freedom and democracy in strengthening bonds amid the pandemic, Tseng said. The Baltic state’s donation of COVID-19 vaccine doses touched the hearts of the people and reminded them Taiwan was not alone, he added.
All segments of society place great importance on the bilateral relationship, Tseng said, adding that Taiwan will continue standing shoulder to shoulder with the EU member state.
Tseng made the remarks during an online press conference hosted by Eric Jiun-yaw Huang, head of The Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania. The event was covered by more than 20 local media outlets.
According to Tseng, Taiwan and Lithuania are on the front line of China’s ongoing campaign of economic and political coercion. Fellow members of the free world must work together in turning back the tide of authoritarianism and defending shared values, he said.
As forces for good in the world, Tseng said, Taiwan and Lithuania will continue cooperating closely in overlapping areas of interest benefiting the people and advancing sustainable development.
During the Q&A session, Huang said Taiwan will establish a US$200 million strategic investment fund focusing on potential-laden industries such as biotechnology, lasers and semiconductors. It is anticipated this commitment will spur economic and technological development on both sides, he added.
At the same time, Huang said, Taiwan’s public and private sectors will maximize efforts in assisting firms from Lithuania identify and cultivate alternative markets for exports at risk of boycott by China.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “Deputy Minister Tseng hammered home a powerful message during the news conference hosted by @TW_in_LT Rep. Huang: #Taiwan & #Lithuania are like-minded partners bound by an unshakeable belief in freedom & democracy. We’ll overcome #China’s threat of authoritarianism together!” (SFC-E)
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