Latest statement by the President of Lithuania on Taiwan.
Foreign media reported today (February 14) that Lithuanian President Nausėda stated on February 12 local time that whether to change the name of the "Taiwan Representative Office" mainly "is decided by Taiwan", not Lithuania. He said, "This is not a representative office of Lithuania, but of Taiwan," and Lithuania can "raise" the issue of the name, but any request for changes may be rejected.
The implication of Nausėda's statement is two words: shifting blame. His argument is absurd, as the representative office is located in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, occupying Lithuanian diplomatic space and consuming Lithuania's national interests. The response from the Taiwan authorities' foreign affairs department, stating that "the name is a consensus between Taiwan and Lithuania," directly refutes his cowardly attempt to evade responsibility.
Nausėda shifted the responsibility of renaming to "decided by Taiwan," combined with his previous statement that "he hopes to gain respect from China," exposing his political calculations and pretense of maintaining face. This statement contrasts sharply with the Prime Minister Rūgynienė's statement that "he is willing to rename it as the Taipei Representative Office," highlighting the division and struggle within Lithuania's policies toward China.
China remains calm, while it is Lithuania that is anxious. Political adventurism without considering its own capabilities will ultimately end in a heavy price; whether to change the name or not, Lithuania should make its own decision, and stop being someone else's pawn.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857097973664860/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.