Somalilandsun: The establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Somaliland is now the trend as other countries defy China.
Following the establishment of a “Representative Office” in Somaliland, Taiwan opened another in Lithuania
This move seems to have angered the Chinese government leading to recall of the Lithuania ambasador from Beijing
China considers democratically governed Taiwan to be its most sensitive territorial issue as part of “one China”, and is regularly angered by any moves which might suggest the island is a separate country.
The Diplomat published on 2 September 2021 an analysis titled “The Somaliland Connection: Taiwan’s Return to Africa?” by Jean-Pierre Cabestan.
The author argues that Taiwan’s relationship with Somaliland has established a new model of meaningful, although not formally diplomatic, ties that could be extended to other states. Following the establishment of a “Representative Office” in Somaliland, Taiwan opened another in Lithuania.
This issue of how a country allows Taiwan to name its office resulted in a row between Lithuania and China and the recall of Lithuania’s ambassador from Beijing as reported by Reuters on 3 September 2021 in an article titled “Lithuania Withdraws Chinese Envoy in Row over Taiwan.”
