Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

In response to Lithuania's donation of 20,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses, which arrived in Taiwan on the morning of July 31, Presidential Office Spokesperson Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said that the Presidential Office is grateful to the Lithuanian government for its timely support, thanked our diplomats and everyone else involved in facilitating the prompt delivery of the donated vaccines, and expressed sincere appreciation for Lithuania's friendship. 

Spokesperson Chang observed that during the current global pandemic, mutual support between freedom-loving democratic partners has epitomized the power of friendship in tough times. Taiwan's donation of 100,000 medical-grade face masks to front-line medical workers in Lithuania last year, together with today's donation of vaccines from Lithuania, show once again how positive contributions to the international community produce a virtuous cycle. 

Spokesperson Chang added that the Presidential Office thanks Lithuania for its active support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the World Health Organization. Taiwan is now preparing to open The Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania in the country's capital, Vilnius, as part of our efforts to expand substantive relations with Central and Eastern Europe, and especially with the Baltic states.  

Spokesperson Chang further emphasized that Lithuania is committed to the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, and is a sincere, like-minded friend and partner of Taiwan. Based on our close connection and shared values, Taiwan will continue to strengthen our cooperative bilateral partnership with Lithuania in all areas, and will join forces with Lithuania and other like-minded countries around the world to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, defend our universal values, and serve as a force for good, thereby ensuring that this virtuous cycle continues to flourish.