Taipei: A Lithuanian group of Taiwan-friendly lawmakers is visiting Taiwan for six days to meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other senior officials to boost bilateral relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on Sunday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the eight-member Seimas delegation is led by Ruslanas Baranovas, chairperson of the Lithuania-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The delegation includes Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chairperson of the Lithuanian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Defense, and Matas Maldeikis, vice chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

During the visit, which extends from Sunday through Friday, the delegation plans to meet with several Taiwanese officials, including Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Defense Minister Wellington Koo, and Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming. The Seimas members will also attend banquets hosted by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Deputy Foreign Minister Fran§ois Wu. Discussions will cover bilateral relations, regional security, and trade cooperation.

Relations between Lithuania and Taiwan have seen significant improvement since 2021, following the establishment of reciprocal offices in each other’s capitals. The opening of Taiwan’s office in Vilnius sparked a strong reaction from China, which objected to the use of “Taiwanese” in the office’s name, viewing it as an indication of Taiwan’s sovereignty.

In response, China recalled its ambassador to Vilnius, expelled Lithuania’s ambassador to Beijing, suspended direct freight rail service to Lithuania, and imposed stringent restrictions on Lithuanian exports to China. Despite attempts to restore diplomatic ties with China after a new Lithuanian government took office in December 2024, Lithuania remains steadfast in maintaining the current name of Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius.