The opening of the Lithuanian representative office in Taiwan is a "very important step" for both democracies and the two are on a good track for economic cooperation, a visiting vice minister from the Baltic state said on Friday.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and pressured multinationals to sever links with the nation of 2.8 million people after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius.
The corresponding office in Taipei will begin operations "in the nearest future", Lithuania's Ministry of Economy and Innovation said on Friday, though Taiwan's Foreign Ministry says it is already effectively in operation.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Lithuanian Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation Karolis Zemaitis said "very intense preparations" are taking place to open the office.
"Of course this is a very important step for us, for both democracies," he said.
China has repeatedly denounced Lithuania's engagement with Taiwan, which it views as Chinese territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei.
Last month, China imposed sanctions on Lithuanian Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Agne Vaiciukeviciute for visiting Taiwan.
Asked whether China has warned him not to go come, Zemaitis, who has been leading a 28-person business delegation to Taiwan this week, said he had not had contact with "any of the Chinese representatives".
Taiwan has sought to buy more Lithuanian goods, including beer and rum, to support its economy and help make up for the impact of trade disruption with China, and to encourage Taiwanese investment in Lithuania.
"I think we are right now very intensively working on the best possible economic outcome together with our Taiwanese colleagues and I think we're on a very, very good track," Zemaitis said.
"Of course when it comes to the overall market diversification which is important globally for many countries including European (ones), I think this is always a process that might take some time."
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Sam Holmes)
