Eastern Europe Warms Up to Uyghurs and Taiwan

By Abliz Iminniyaz

Jan 27, 2025

Former Communist states in Eastern Europe have shown growing resistance to Chinese subversion and coercion. Countries like Lithuania are at the forefront of standing firm against Beijing’s pressure.

This resistance, however, comes at a cost. After the Lithuanian parliament passed a resolution in May recognizing China’s repression of Uyghur Muslims as genocide, Beijing abruptly halted imports of Lithuanian goods, claiming Lithuanian strawberries were infected with pests.

In a further sign of growing ties, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ROC) opened a Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania this week, signaling plans to expand exchanges between Taiwan and the EU member state, according to the Ministry’s Twitter account. Beijing has already retaliated. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian denounced Lithuania’s move as an “egregious act that grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs.”

Meanwhile, in November, Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib welcomed the 7th General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) to the Czech capital. Over 200 Uyghur delegates from more than 25 countries gathered to elect new leadership for the next three years. A week later, Beijing labeled the WUC a terrorist organization.

Hrib, no stranger to controversial actions, has previously flown the Tibetan flag at Prague City Hall and become a vocal advocate for Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong, and the Uyghurs. His stance continues to place him at odds with the Chinese government.