LITHUANIA SHUNS CHINA, BACKS THOSE FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM IN TAIWAN

Lithuania’s new ruling coalition agreed to commit the incoming government to support “those fighting for freedom” in Taiwan, threatening to hurt the small European Union (EU) member’s relations with China, a potential investor in its main port, Andrius Sytas reported for Reuters.

EU member-states, and the bloc itself, have no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan due to the objections of Beijing, which considers the island part of China.

The Lithuanian coalition agreement, signed by leaders of the Homeland Union, Liberal Movement and Freedom parties, which together won 74 seats in the 141-seat parliament on Oct. 25, binds the new government to carry out a “values-based foreign policy.”

“We will actively oppose any violation of human rights and democratic freedoms, and will defend those fighting for freedom around the world, from Belarus to Taiwan,” they said. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed appreciation for the support. “Lithuania and Taiwan are like-minded partners, and the foreign ministry sincerely thanks friends in Lithuania for continuing to take concrete actions to defend shared values,” it said in a statement.