September 12, 2022
No. 242
A 28-member Lithuanian delegation of officials and representatives of the laser and biotechnology industries led by new Vice Minister of the Economy and Innovation Karolis Žemaitis arrived in Taiwan on September 10. The delegation will today begin a five-day tour that will deepen bilateral economic, trade, and technological cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) extends a heartfelt welcome to the group. This marks the fourth Lithuanian delegation led by a deputy minister to arrive in Taiwan this year, following visits by Žemaitis’s immediate predecessor Jovita Neliupšienė, Vice Minister of Agriculture Egidijus Giedraitis, and Deputy Minister of Transportation Agne Vaiciukevičiūtė.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu will host a banquet in honor of the Vice Minister and the delegation. The delegation will visit the National Development Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as research institutes and private businesses in the laser and biotechnology sectors to seek greater two-way cooperation and to strengthen a democratic partnership and global democratic industrial resilience.
With regard to China’s recent escalation of military threats against Taiwan, through which it is attempting a unilateral change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis stated in an article published August 8 in a United Kingdom newspaper that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit should not be a pretext for Chinese military exercises or provocative actions. The insistence on freedom and democracy of the 23.5 million people of Taiwan should not be seen as expendable. He underscored that the free world cannot allow Taiwan to become a second Ukraine.
As autocratic regimes attempt to use the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and energy and food crises to endanger global democracy, freedom, and rule of law, the visit by Vice Minister Žemaitis and the delegation fully demonstrates that Taiwan and Lithuania are faithful partners on the front lines of democracy who render each other support and exercise solidarity. Based on common values and beliefs, Taiwan and Lithuania will safeguard freedom and democracy and create a virtuous cycle of sustainable development while forging a win-win situation in global cutting-edge industries. (E)