The Globalist What’s in a name? Taiwan’s recognition in Estonia hits a snag
Nov 4, 2025
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Name Choice Shapes Diplomatic Risk
- Estonia stalled Taiwan's representative office over naming, showing words carry heavy diplomatic weight.
- William Yang and Kadri Leek note Lithuania's 'Taiwan' naming triggered strong Chinese economic and political retaliation, prompting caution elsewhere.
Lithuania Set A Cautious Example
- Taiwan saw Lithuania's 2021 'Taiwan' office as a diplomatic breakthrough but other EU states reacted with caution.
- Estonia emphasised alignment with the longstanding One China policy and focused on substantive ties over symbolic naming.
Prioritise Practical Engagement Over Symbols
- Accept pragmatic compromises like a 'Taipei office' to preserve practical cooperation and avoid economic retaliation.
- Focus on substantive exchanges (digital, cybersecurity, infrastructure) rather than symbolic naming to deepen ties safely.