Democracy Dies in Darkness

With beer, rum and chocolate, Taiwan rallies behind Lithuania in spat with China

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January 6, 2022 at 1:00 a.m. EST
Ricardas Sedinkinas, a Lithuanian, says Taiwanese people often want to thank him for his country’s contributions. Here, Sedinkinas, right, poses with Herry Hsu, a Taiwanese blogger who writes about Lithuania, and Chen Guan-Lun, left, at a food fair in Taipei last month. (Courtesy of Ricardas Sedinkinas)

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Ricardas Sedinkinas isn’t used to rock-star treatment. The Lithuanian businessman, who has lived in Taiwan for two years, is adjusting to his newfound status as a minor celebrity.

“It happens everywhere. I go to buy a lunch box and when they hear I am from Lithuania, everyone starts clapping,” he said. “In general, Taiwanese people are very friendly. This is unprecedented.”