View source for Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office

{{Short description|De facto embassy of Taiwan}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|pic = Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands Signboard.jpg
|picsize =
|piccap = [[Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands|Taipei Representative Office]] in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]].
|showflag = cp
|t = 臺北經濟文化辦事處
|s = 台北经济文化办事处
|p = Táiběi Jīngjì Wénhùa Bànshìchù
|myr = Táiběi Jǐngjì Wénhwà Bànshr̀chù
|tp = Táiběi Jǐngjì Wúnhùa Bànshìhchù
|w = T'aipei Chingchi Wenhua Panshihch'u
|poj = Tâi-pak Keng-chè Bûn-hòa Pān-sū-chhù 
}}

The '''Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office''' ('''TECRO'''), also known as '''Taipei Economic and Cultural Office''' ('''TECO'''), '''Taipei Representative Office''' ('''TRO''') or '''Taipei Mission''', is an alternative [[Diplomatic mission|diplomatic institution]] serving as a [[De facto embassy|''de facto'' embassy]] or a [[consulate]]  of the Republic of China (ROC, commonly referred to as [[Taiwan]]) to exercise the foreign affairs and consular services in specific countries which have established formal diplomatic relations with the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC, commonly referred to as China). The PRC denies the legitimacy of the ROC as a [[sovereign state]] and claims the [[Free area of the Republic of China|ROC-controlled territories]] as an integral part of its territory. An [[exclusive mandate]], namely [[One-China policy]], requires that any country wishing to establish a diplomatic relationship with the PRC must first sever any formal relationship with the ROC. According to ''[[The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs]]'', "non-recognition of the Taiwanese government is a prerequisite for conducting formal diplomatic relations with the PRC{{mdash}}in effect forcing other governments to choose between Beijing and Taipei."<ref>{{Cite journal | journal = [[The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs]] | title = China, Taiwan, and the Battle for Latin America | first1 = Daniel P. | last1 = Erikson | first2 = Janice | last2 =  Chen | year = 2007 | volume = 31 | issue = 2 | page = 71}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.china.org.cn/english/taiwan/7956.htm | title = The One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue | publisher = [[China Internet Information Center]] | access-date = 2014-04-09 | archive-date = 2019-02-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190227214111/http://www.china.org.cn/english/taiwan/7956.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> As a result, these countries only allow the ROC to establish representative offices instead of a fully-fledged embassy or consulate for the purpose of conducting practical bilateral relations without granting full [[diplomatic recognition]].

Except in [[Lithuania]]<ref>https://www.roc-taiwan.org/lt_en/index.html</ref> and [[Somaliland]] (opened in 2020), all offices use the capital city "[[Taipei]]" and refrain from using the name "Taiwan" or the "Republic of China", since the term "Taipei" avoids implying that Taiwan is a different country on par with the PRC or that there are "[[Two Chinas]]", the PRC and the ROC, in order to diminish the obstacles of building pragmatic diplomacy and sidestep the [[Taiwan issue]]. The first attempt of using the name "Taiwan" in a Taiwanese diplomatic mission within a non-diplomatic state was when Lithuania broke the tradition with the name [[Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania]] in 2021. In response the PRC expelled Lithuania's embassy staff from Beijing and downgraded diplomatic relations to [[Chargé d'affaires|charge d'affaires]] status.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-downgrades-diplomatic-relations-with-lithuania-over-taiwan-representative-office/ | title=China downgrades Lithuania's diplomatic status over Taiwan row | date=21 November 2021 | access-date=18 December 2022 | archive-date=18 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218105927/https://www.politico.eu/article/china-downgrades-diplomatic-relations-with-lithuania-over-taiwan-representative-office/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Attempts by other countries, including [[Fiji]], to allow ROC government to change the representative office to indicate "Taiwan" later failed and were reversed under pressure from PRC government. <ref>https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/06/23/2003802043</ref>

On the other side, offices located in Taiwan usually also use the term "Taipei", though the United States, Japan, and Somaliland (but not Lithuania) use "Taiwan" (for example the [[American Institute in Taiwan]]).

TECROs state that their aim is "to promote bilateral trade, investment, culture, science and technology exchanges and cooperation, as well as better understanding", and provide common citizen services towards [[overseas Taiwanese]], such as issuing visas and [[Republic of China passport|passports]].

TECROs in the [[United States]] enjoy many diplomatic privileges such as [[extraterritoriality]], providing [[consular assistance|consular protection]] and their staff have [[diplomatic immunity]].<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/intl-community/2013/02/06/369736/US-diplomatic.htm New US diplomatic immunity pact a breakthrough: MOFA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021132218/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/intl-community/2013/02/06/369736/US-diplomatic.htm |date=2016-10-21 }}, ''[[The China Post]]'', February 6, 2013</ref>  Other countries also establish reciprocal representative offices in Taiwan, such as the [[American Institute in Taiwan]], [[Canadian Trade Office in Taipei]] and [[Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association]].

==History==
{{see also|Chinese Civil War}}
Following the admission of the PRC to the [[United Nations]] in 1971, many countries began to establish diplomatic relations with the government in [[Beijing]], and as a consequence, ended diplomatic relations with the [[Nanjing]]-based ROC Government stationed in [[Taipei]].<ref name="Taiwan Review">[http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=758&ctNode=2198&mp=9 The Road Less Traveled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314025213/http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=758&ctNode=2198&mp=9 |date=2016-03-14 }}, ''[[Taiwan Review]]'', September 1, 2002</ref> In order to maintain trade and cultural ties with countries with which it no longer had diplomatic relations, Taiwan established representative offices in these countries, often replacing its former embassies.

Before the 1990s, the names of these offices would vary considerably from country to country, usually omitting any reference to "Taiwan" or "Republic of China", instead referring to "East Asia", "Far East" or "Free China".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mXoFscQ2QwsC&dq=centre+sun+yat-sen+luxembourg&pg=PA141 ''China and Europe Since 1978: A European Perspective''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822012727/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mXoFscQ2QwsC&lpg=PA141&ots=JXpnD-DJiQ&dq=centre%20sun%20yat-sen%20luxembourg&pg=PA141#v=onepage&q=centre%20sun%20yat-sen%20luxembourg&f=false |date=2017-08-22 }},  Richard L. Edmonds, Cambridge University Press, 2002, page 141</ref> They would also describe themselves as "centres" or "offices", concerned with trade, tourism, culture or information, thereby emphasising their private and unofficial status, despite being staffed by [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] personnel.

For example, in Japan, the former ROC Embassy was replaced by the "[[Association of East Asian Relations]]" (AEAR) in 1972.<ref name="Mosher">[https://books.google.com/books?id=3YgR77AzwuEC&dq=Association+of+East+Asian+Relations&pg=PA24 International Law of Recognition and the Status of the Republic of China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225010447/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3YgR77AzwuEC&lpg=PA24&dq=Association%20of%20East%20Asian%20Relations&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q=Association%20of%20East%20Asian%20Relations&f=true |date=2016-02-25 }}, [[Hungdah Chiu]], in ''The United States and the Republic of China: Democratic Friends, Strategic Allies, and Economic Partners'', Steven W. Mosher
Transaction Publishers, 1992, page 24</ref> In Malaysia, following the closure of the consulate general in [[Kuala Lumpur]] in 1974, an office known as the Far East Travel and Trade Centre was established.<ref name="Jie Chen">[https://books.google.com/books?id=moqbJAj2b1kC&dq=free+china+malaysia+1974+taipei&pg=PA82 ''Foreign Policy of the New Taiwan: Pragmatic Diplomacy in Southeast Asia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313073803/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=moqbJAj2b1kC&pg=PA82&dq=free+china+malaysia+1974+taipei&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj49-3q87fLAhWFdpoKHRBkBkgQ6AEIQjAD#v=onepage&q=free%20china%20malaysia%201974%20taipei&f=false |date=2016-03-13 }}, Jie Chen, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2002, page 82</ref> In the [[Philippines]], the former embassy in [[Manila]] was replaced by the "Pacific Economic and Cultural Center", established in 1975.<ref name="Mosher" /> In [[Thailand]], the former embassy in [[Bangkok]] was replaced by the "Office of the Representative of China Airlines" in 1975.<ref name="Samuel C Y Ku">[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZUGN8zCUm-AC&dq=taiwan+Embassy+in+Bangkok+closed+1975&pg=PA263 The Changing Political Economy of Taiwan's and China's Relations with Southeast Asia: A Comparative Perspective] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313085454/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ZUGN8zCUm-AC&lpg=PA263&ots=gcK6dypyJI&dq=taiwan%20Embassy%20in%20Bangkok%20closed%201975&pg=PA263#v=onepage&q=taiwan%20Embassy%20in%20Bangkok%20closed%201975&f=true |date=2016-03-13 }}, Samuel C Y Ku in ''China and Southeast Asia: Global Changes and Regional Challenge'', Ho Khai Leong, Samuel C Y Ku, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2005, page 259</ref> This was later renamed the Far East Trade Office in 1980.<ref name="Jie Chen" />

In the United States, Taipei's mission, established in 1979, was known as the "'''Coordination Council for North American Affairs'''" (CCNAA).<ref>[http://www.cftc.gov/files/foia/repfoia/foirf0502b010.pdf Memorandum of Understanding between the American Institute in Taiwan and the Coordination Council for North American Affairs on the Exchange of Information Concerning Commodity Futures and Options Matters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221010211/http://www.cftc.gov/files/foia/repfoia/foirf0502b010.pdf |date=2016-12-21 }}, Signed at Arlington, Virginia this 11th day of January 1993</ref> As of 2019, it has been renamed "Taiwan Council for US Affairs."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3710503 |title=Taiwan changes name of office in the U.S. To ... &#124; Taiwan News |date=25 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527033249/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3710503 |archive-date=2019-05-27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, Taiwan was represented by the "Free Chinese Centre", established in 1963.<ref name="books.google.co.uk">[https://books.google.com/books?id=wXpwXvjAAkYC&dq=%22Free+Chinese+Centre%22+london&pg=PA39 ''The Cold War's Odd Couple: The Unintended Partnership Between the Republic of China and the UK, 1950–1958''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224163632/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wXpwXvjAAkYC&lpg=PA39&ots=a35FcBvEv9&dq=%22Free%20Chinese%20Centre%22%20london&pg=PA39#v=onepage&q=%22Free%20Chinese%20Centre%22%20london&f=false |date=2016-02-24 }}, Steven Tsang, I.B.Tauris, 2006, page 39</ref> In [[West Germany]], it was represented by a ''Büro der Fernost-Informationen'' ("Far East Information Office") established in 1972.<ref name="Vertretung">[http://www.taiwanembassy.org/ct.asp?xItem=635638&CtNode=53&mp=107&xp1= Die Beziehungen zwischen Taiwan und Deutschland]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}, Taipeh Vertretung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland</ref> In [[Spain]], the office, established in 1973, was known as the ''Centro Sun Yat-sen'' ("Sun Yat-sen Centre").<ref name="hibou">[https://books.google.com/books?id=UdsBUEQa6qIC&dq=%22Anglo-Taiwan%20Trade%20Committee%22%201976%20visa&pg=PA154 Pretence of Privatisation: Taiwan's External Relations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314083355/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UdsBUEQa6qIC&lpg=PA157&dq=%22Anglo-Taiwan%20Trade%20Committee%22%201976%20visa&pg=PA154#v=onepage&q&f=true |date=2016-03-14 }}, Françoise Mengin, in ''Privatising the State'', [[Béatrice Hibou]], C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2004, pages 154</ref> In the [[Netherlands]], the office was known as the "Far East Trade Office".<ref name="hibou" />

However, in the late 1980s, these offices began using the name "Taipei" in their titles due to confusion on their functions, particular those needing visa to travel to ROC areas. Using the "Taipei" is more familiar as it was recently used in the Olympics after "Chinese Taipei" Olympics team rejoined in 1981. In May 1992, the AEAR offices in Japan became Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0ksYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992 ''Republic of China Yearbook''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224163630/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0ksYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992&dq=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwihtNqP-dXKAhXIOBQKHbJoBBMQ6AEINjAE |date=2016-02-24 }} Kwang Hwa Publishing Company, 1998, 145</ref> The "Free Chinese Centre" in London was similarly renamed the "Taipei Representative Office".<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2013/04/10/375637/Former-diplomats.htm Former diplomats to Great Britain remember Thatcher] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203004046/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2013/04/10/375637/Former-diplomats.htm |date=2016-02-03 }}, ''[[The China Post]]'', 10 April 2013</ref> In September 1994, the [[Clinton Administration]] announced that the CCNAA office in Washington could similarly be called the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.<ref name="Chi Su">[https://books.google.com/books?id=hdTMuHG2hXcC&dq=%22Coordination+Council+for+North+American+Affairs%22+1993+taipei&pg=PA31 ''Taiwan's Relations with Mainland China: A Tail Wagging Two Dogs''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208005927/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hdTMuHG2hXcC&lpg=PA31&ots=R8qq7zkN9U&dq=%22Coordination%20Council%20for%20North%20American%20Affairs%22%201993%20taipei&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q=%22Coordination%20Council%20for%20North%20American%20Affairs%22%201993%20taipei&f=true |date=2016-02-08 }}, Chi Su
Routledge, 2008, page 31</ref>
[[File:Mlc center syd.jpg|thumb|The building hosting TECO branch office in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]]] 
Earlier in 1989, the "Pacific Economic and Cultural Center" in [[Manila]]  became the "[[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines]]".<ref name="Enduring Dynamics">[https://books.google.com/books?id=wFxxAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Taipei+Economic+and+Cultural+Office%22 ''Ensuring Interests: Dynamics of China-Taiwan Relations and Southeast Asia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010956/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wFxxAAAAMAAJ&dq=Pacific+Economic+and+Cultural+Center+in+Manila+renamed+Taipei+Economic+and+Cultural+Office+1989&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22Taipei+Economic+and+Cultural+Office%22 |date=2017-02-02 }}, Khai Leong Ho, Guozhong He, Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, 2006, page 25</ref>    In 1991, the "Taiwan Marketing Service" office in [[Canberra]], Australia, established in 1988, also became a "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office", along with the "Far East Trading Company" offices in Sydney and [[Melbourne]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=esT-P4oEkrUC&dq=taipei+market+service+canberra&pg=PA33 ''Australia and China: Partners in Asia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309201101/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=esT-P4oEkrUC&lpg=PA33&ots=F8Dr06HWVR&dq=taipei%20market%20service%20canberra&pg=PA33#v=onepage&q=taipei%20market%20service%20canberra&f=true |date=2016-03-09 }}, Colin Mackerras, Macmillan Education, 1996, page 33</ref>

Other names are still used elsewhere; for example, the mission in Moscow is formally known as the "Representative Office in Moscow for the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.tw/|title=中華民國(台灣)外交部全球資訊網|last=外交部|date=9 January 2015|website=中華民國外交部 - 全球資訊網 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093547/https://www.mofa.gov.tw/|archive-date=14 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the mission in New Delhi is known as the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Center".<ref>[http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=128705 MoU between India-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India on cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205000108/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=128705 |date=2016-02-05 }}, Press Information Bureau, Government of India,
Cabinet, 14 October 2015</ref> The mission in [[Pretoria]] is known as the "Taipei Liaison Office".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ZA/mp.asp?mp=402|title=首頁 - 駐南非共和國台北聯絡代表處 Taipei Liaison Office in the RSA|first=Internet|last=Team|website=www.roc-taiwan.org|access-date=2016-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310015737/http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ZA/mp.asp?mp=402|archive-date=2016-03-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

The two most recent ones to change their official names, in Papua New Guinea and in Jordan, both use the name ''Taipei Economic and Cultural Office'' ({{zh|links=no|c=臺北經濟文化辦事處}}).

==TECRO in the United States==
{{main|Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States}}
[[File:Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States from VOA (1).jpg|thumb|[[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]

Originally called the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA), the name of the CCNAA office in Washington, D.C. (the "[[embassy]]") was changed to "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" (TECRO) as a result of the [[Clinton Administration|Clinton administration]]'s Taiwan Policy Review of 1994.<ref name="Chi Su" /> Similarly, the names of the twelve other CCNAA offices ("[[consulate]]s") in the United States were changed to "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office" (TECO).<ref>"[http://www.fapa.org/generalinfo/TPR1994.html 1994 Taiwan Policy Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404071157/http://fapa.org/generalinfo/TPR1994.html |date=2007-04-04 }}." ''Formosan Association for Public Affairs''. Retrieved on January 28, 2009.</ref>

On May 24, 2019, Taiwan informed that "the Coordination Council for North American Affairs" was renamed "the Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/taiwan-changing-name-of-de-facto-embassy-in-us/2019/05/24/7afc66e8-7e93-11e9-b1f3-b233fe5811ef_story.html?noredirect=on|title=Taiwan changing name of de-facto embassy in US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] }}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In September 2020, the [[US Ambassador to the United Nations]] [[Kelly Craft]] met with James K.J. Lee, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, who was secretary-general in [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] until July, for lunch in New York City in what was the first meeting between a top Taiwan official and a United States ambassador to the United Nations.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-envoy-united-nations-meets-taiwan-official-ny-73065640|title=US envoy to United Nations meets with Taiwan official in NY|website=ABC News|access-date=2021-06-23|archive-date=2021-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206205950/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-envoy-united-nations-meets-taiwan-official-ny-73065640|url-status=live}}</ref> Craft said she and Lee discussed ways the US can help Taiwan become more engaged within the U.N., and she pointed to a December 2019 email alert from Taiwan that [[WHO]] had ignored, recognizing and warning about the danger of the person-to-person transmission of the new highly contagious [[COVID-19]] virus in China.<ref name="auto"/>

==TECRO in Japan==
{{main|Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan}}
[[File:Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan 20080811.jpg|thumb|TECRO in [[Japan]]]]
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and Japan were broken off in September 1972. For practical reasons, the Association of East Asian Relations (AEAR), was established two months after the Japan-China Joint Communique was signed. EARA had offices in Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3YgR77AzwuEC&dq=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22&pg=PA24 The International Law of Recognition and the Status of the Republic of China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309223638/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3YgR77AzwuEC&lpg=PA24&dq=%22Association%20of%20East%20Asian%20Relations%22&pg=PA24#v=onepage&q=%22Association%20of%20East%20Asian%20Relations%22&f=false |date=2016-03-09 }}, [[Hungdah Chiu]] in ''The United States and the Republic of China: Democratic Friends, Strategic Allies, and Economic Partners'', Steven W. Mosher, Transaction Publishers, 1992, page 24</ref> In 1992, Japan authorized the change in name of AEAR to TECRO.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ksYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992|title=Republic of China Yearbook|publisher=Kwang Hwa Publishing Company|year=1998|page=145|isbn=9789570211795 |access-date=2016-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309215759/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0ksYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992&dq=%22Association+of+East+Asian+Relations%22+1992&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL_caYnI7LAhXFwBQKHTbjBSEQ6AEIMzAE|archive-date=2016-03-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Representations in the PRC special administrative regions==
===Hong Kong===
{{main|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong}}
In Hong Kong, from 1966, Taiwan was represented by the 'Chung Hwa Travel Service', a name chosen to avoid upsetting Beijing.<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2011/07/17/2003508415 Is name change a game changer?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222005/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2011/07/17/2003508415 |date=2016-03-03 }}, ''[[Taipei Times]]'', 17 July 2011</ref> On 20 July 2011, as a result of warming relations between Taiwan and Beijing, the name was formally changed to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, bringing it into line with other Republic of China representative offices around the world.<ref>[http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?main&20110715&56&770050 Taiwan changes name of HK office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002035514/http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/news.htm?main&20110715&56&770050 |date=2012-10-02 }}, RTHK News, 15 July 2011</ref>

===Macau===
{{main|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau}}

In Macau, from 1989 to 1999, Taiwan was represented by the 'Taipei Trade and Tourism Office', Taiwan's first-time representation in Macau after Kuomintang's expulsion from Macau as the consequence of the [[12-3 incident|December 3rd Incident]] in 1966. From 1999 to 2011, Taiwan was represented by the 'Taipei Economic and Cultural Center'. On 13 May 2012, the name was formally changed to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/china-taiwan-relations/2012/05/14/341018/Macau-representative.htm Macau representative office in Taiwan opens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405185318/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/china-taiwan-relations/2012/05/14/341018/Macau-representative.htm |date=2015-04-05 }} ''[[The China Post]]'', May 14, 2012</ref>

==TRO in the United Kingdom==
{{see also|Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.}}

In 1950, the UK switched recognition from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of China (PRC) shortly after its establishment, while maintaining the British Consulate in [[Tamsui]], through which the UK continued to carry out consular and trade-related activities. The consulate was closed after the UK and the PRC upgraded relations to Ambassadorial level in March 1972, and in June 1980 the building and land of the consulate were returned to the Taiwanese government. The ROC government's office in the UK was set up in September 1963, and at the time was known as the Free Chinese Centre.<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> In 1992, this was revised to become the Taipei Representative Office in the UK.<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2013/04/10/375637/Former-diplomats.htm Former diplomats to Great Britain remember Thatcher] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203004046/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/foreign-affairs/2013/04/10/375637/Former-diplomats.htm |date=2016-02-03 }}, ''[[China Post]]'', 10 April 2013</ref>

== Taipei Representative Office in Norway ==
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = '''Taipei Representative Office in Norway'''<br>駐挪威代表處
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| formed = 1980 (as Taipei Trade Centre)<ref name="hibou" />
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| dissolved = 30 September 2017
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| headquarters = [[Oslo]], [[Norway]]
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}}The '''Taipei Representative Office in Norway'''; ({{zh|c=駐挪威代表處|p=Zhù Nuówēi Dàibiǎo Chù}}) was a diplomatic mission of [[Taiwan]] to [[Norway]] that functioned as a [[De facto embassy|''de facto'' embassy]]. The first representative office of Taiwan in Norway was the '''Taipei Trade Centre''', established in 1980.<ref name="hibou2">[https://books.google.com/books?id=UdsBUEQa6qIC&q=Spain&pg=PA154 A Pretence of Privatisation: Taiwan's External Relations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314083355/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UdsBUEQa6qIC&lpg=PA157&dq=%22Anglo-Taiwan%20Trade%20Committee%22%201976%20visa&pg=PA154#v=onepage&q=Spain&f=false |date=2016-03-14 }}, Françoise Mengin, in ''Privatising the State'', Béatrice Hibou, C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2004, pages 154</ref>

In July 2017, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] announced that the office will be suspended on 30 September 2017 and affairs related to Taiwanese in the country will be handled by [[Taipei Mission in Sweden]]. The decision was made to improve the efficiency of the [[Foreign relations of Taiwan|foreign diplomatic missions]] of Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201707270016.aspx|title=Taiwan suspending operations at 3 overseas offices|last1=Hou|first1=Elaine|date=27 July 2017|publisher=Focus Taiwan|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727125331/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201707270016.aspx|archive-date=27 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Taipei representative offices around the world==
The list below shows the countries or regions where TECROs/TROs are established.

===G20 nations===
{| class=wikitable
|-
!Country or Region!!Office Name!!Representative!!Website
|-
|{{ARG}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Argentina|Oficina Comercial y Cultural de Taipei en Argentina]] || [[Miguel Tsao]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/AR]
|-
|{{AUS}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia]] || [[Elliott Charng]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/au_en/index.html]
|-
|{{BRA}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brazil|Escritório Econômico e Cultural de Taipei no Brasil]] || [[Chang Tsung-che]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/BR]
|-
|{{CAN}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada]] || [[Kung Chung-chen|Winston Chen]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ca_en/index.html]
|-
|{{FRA}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in France|Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France]] || [[Wu Chih-chung]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roc-taiwan.org/fr_fr/post/9077.html|title=Le Représentant de Taïwan en France|first=Internet|last=Team|website=Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France 駐法國台北代表處|access-date=2016-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018221158/http://www.roc-taiwan.org/fr_fr/post/9077.html|archive-date=2016-10-18|url-status=live}}</ref> || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/FR]
|-
|{{DEU}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany|Taipeh Vertretung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland]] || [[Shieh Jhy-wey]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/DE]
|-
|{{IDN}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta, Indonesia|Kantor Dagang dan Ekonomi Taipei]] || [[John C. Chen]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/id_en/index.html]
|-
|{{IND}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India]] || [[Tien Chung-kwang]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/in_en/index.html]
|-
|{{ITA}}|| [[:zh:駐義大利臺北代表處|Ufficio di Rappresentanza di Taipei in Italia]] || [[Lee Sing-ying]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/IT]
|-
|{{JPN}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan|台北駐日経済文化代表処]] (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan) || [[Frank Hsieh]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/JP]
|-
|{{MEX}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Mexico|Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei en México]] || [[Carlos Liao]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/MX]
|-
|{{RUS}}|| [[Representative Office in Moscow for the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission|Представительство в Москве Тайбэйско-Московской координационной комиссии по экономическому и культурному сотрудничеству]] (Representative Office in Moscow for the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission)|| [[Chen Chun-shen]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/RU]
|-
|{{SAU}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Saudi Arabia|مكتب الممثل الإقتصادي والثقافي لتايبيه في المملكة العربية السعودية]] (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Saudi Arabia) || [[Lin Jinn-jong]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/sa_en/index.html]
|-
|{{ZAF}}|| [[Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa]] || Oliver Liao || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/za_en/index.html]
|-
|{{KOR}}|| [[Taipei Mission in South Korea|주한국 타이페이 대표부]] (Taipei Mission in Korea) || Daniel Diann-wen Tang || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/KR]
|-
|{{TUR}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Mission in Ankara]] || James Chen || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/TR]
|-
|{{GBR}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom|Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.]] || Vincent Yao || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/uk_en/index.html]
|-
|{{USA}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States]] || [[Alexander Yui]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/us_en/index.html]
|}

===Other countries===
{| class=wikitable
|-
!Country or Region!!Office Name!!Representative!!Website
|-
|{{AUT}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Austria]]|| [[Katharine Chang]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/AT]
|-
|{{BHR}}|| [[:zh:駐巴林臺北貿易辦事處|Taipei Trade Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain]] || [[Michael Chen (diplomat)|Michael Chen]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/bahr_en/index.html]
|-
|{{BEL}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Brussels|Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium]] || [[Tung Kuo-yu]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/BE]
|-
|{{BRN}}|| [[:zh:駐汶萊臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam]] || [[Vanessa Shih]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/bn_en/index.html]
|-
|{{CHL}}|| [[:zh:駐智利臺北經濟文化辦事處|Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei en Chile]] || [[Silvia Liu]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/CL]
|-
|{{COL}}|| [[Taipei Commercial Office in Bogotá, Colombia|Oficina Comercial de Taipei en Bogotá, Colombia]] || [[Francisca Y.T.Chang]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/CO]
|-
|{{CZE}}|| [[:zh:駐捷克臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Prague, Czech Republic]] || [[Ke Liang-ruey]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/CZ]
|-
|{{DNK}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Denmark]] || [[Lee Shying-jow]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/dk_en/index.html]
|-
|{{ECU}}|| [[:zh:臺北駐厄瓜多商務處|Oficina Comercial de Taipei]] || [[Rolando Chuang]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/EC]
|-
|{{FJI}}|| [[:zh:駐斐濟臺北商務辦事處|Taipei Trade office in Fiji]] || Paul Chen || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/fj_en/index.html]
|-
|{{FIN}}|| [[:zh:駐芬蘭臺北代表處|Taipei Representative Office in Finland]] || Janet Chang || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/FI]
|-
|{{GRC}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Greece]] || [[Sherman S. Kuo]] || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/GR]
|-
|{{GUM}}|| [[:zh:駐關島臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam]] || [[Paul Yin-Lien Chen]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/USGUM]
|-
|{{HKG}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong]] || [[James Chu]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eccpc.org.hk/eng/activities.htm |title=Activity Highlights |publisher=Eccpc.org.hk |access-date=2014-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060348/http://www.eccpc.org.hk/eng/activities.htm |archive-date=2013-10-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> || [https://www.teco-hk.org/]
|-
|{{HUN}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Budapest]] || [[Liu Shih-chung]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/HU]
|-
|{{IRL}}|| [[:zh:駐愛爾蘭臺北代表處|Taipei Representative Office in Ireland]] || [[Yang Tzu-pao]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/IE]
|-
|{{ISR}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv]] || [[Abby Ya-ping Lee]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201402090002.aspx |title=Taiwan's new representative to Israel to assume duties this week &#124; Politics &#124; FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS |date=9 February 2014 |publisher=Focustaiwan.tw |access-date=2014-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404154228/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201402090002.aspx |archive-date=2014-04-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/il_en/index.html]
|-
|{{CIV}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Ivory Coast]] ||  || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/portalOfDiplomaticMission_en.html#ALL]
|-
|{{JOR}}|| [[:zh:駐約旦臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan]] || [[Ismail Mae]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/jo_en/index.html]
|-
|{{KWT}}|| [[Taipei Commercial Representative Office in the State of Kuwait]] || [[Liu Kuo-hsing]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/kw_en/index.html]
|-
|{{LVA}}|| [[Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia]] || [[Andy Chin]] || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/LV]
|-
|{{LTU}}|| [[Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania]]|| [[:zh:王雪虹|Constance H. Wang]]|| [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/LT]
|-
|{{MAC}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau]] || [[Lu Chang-shui]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macaubusinessdaily.com/Politics/Taiwan%E2%80%99s-man-Macau-has-creative-approach |title=Taiwan's man in Macau has creative approach |publisher=Macau Business Daily |access-date=2014-06-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019142951/http://macaubusinessdaily.com/Politics/Taiwan%E2%80%99s-man-Macau-has-creative-approach |archive-date=2013-10-19 }}</ref> || [http://www.boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=%201373&ctNode=801&mp=2]
|-
|{{MYS}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia]] || [[Lo Yu-chung]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/my_en/index.html]
|-
|{{MGL}}|| [[Taipei Trade and Economic Representative Office in Ulaanbaatar]] || [[Yang Syin-yi]] || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/MN]
|-
|{{MMR}}|| [[:zh:駐緬甸臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar]] || Zhang Jun<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roc-taiwan.org/mm/post/957.html|title=駐緬甸代表訪問緬北僑社及僑校|website=駐緬甸台北經濟文化辦事處 (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar)|access-date=2018-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226084512/https://www.roc-taiwan.org/mm/post/957.html|archive-date=2018-12-26|url-status=live}}</ref> || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/mm/index.html]
|-
|{{NLD}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands]] || [[James Lee (diplomat)|James Lee]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/NL]
|-
|{{NZL}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand]] || [[Charng Yii-Lih]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/NZ]
|-
|{{NGA}}|| [[Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria]] || [[Morgan Chao]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/NG]
|-
|{{OMA}}|| [[:zh:駐阿曼王國臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Muscat, Oman]] || [[Liao Kang-min]] || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/OM]
|-
|{{PNG}}|| [[:zh:駐巴布亞紐幾內亞臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Papua New Guinea]] || Ben Wang || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/PG]
|-
|{{PER}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Peru]] || [[Francisca Yu-Tsz Chang]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/PE]
|-
|{{PHL}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines]] || [[Lin Song-huann]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/PH]
|-
|{{POL}}|| [[:pl:Biuro Przedstawicielskie Tajpej w Polsce|Taipei Representative Office in Poland]] || [[Chen Ming-cheng]]<ref name="Poland India">[http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507080031.aspx Two diplomats sworn in before departing for Poland, India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710042825/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201507080031.aspx |date=2015-07-10 }}, ''[[Focus Taiwan]]'', July 8, 2015</ref> || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/PL]
|-
|{{PRT}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Portugal]]|| [[Her Jian-gueng]] || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/PT]
|-
|{{SIN}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office in Singapore]] || [[Tung Chen-yuan]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/SG]
|-
|{{SVK}}|| [[Taipei Representative Office, Bratislava]] || David Nan-yang Lee || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/sk]
|-
|{{flag|Somaliland}}|| [[Taiwan Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland]] || Allen C. Lou || [http://www.roc-taiwan.org/smd]
|-
|{{ESP}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain]]|| [[José María Liu]] || [http://www.taiwanembassy.org/ES]
|-
|{{SWE}}|| [[Taipei Mission in Sweden]] || [[Daniel Liao]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/se_en/index.html]
|-
|{{SUI}}|| [[:zh:駐瑞士臺北文化經濟代表團|Taipei Cultural and Economic Delegation in Switzerland]] || [[Liu Bang-zyh]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ch_en/index.html]
|-
|{{THA}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand]] || [[Tung Chen-yuan]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/th_en/index.html]
|-
|{{UAE}}|| [[The Commercial Office of Taipei, Dubai, U.A.E.]] || [[Samee Chang]] || [https://www.roc-taiwan.org/dxb_en/index.html]
|-
|{{VNM}}|| [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam]] || [[Richard R. C. Shih]] || [https://www.taiwanembassy.org/vn_en/index.html]
|}

== Former representative offices ==
*{{flag|Bangladesh}} — Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Bangladesh (closed in 2009, transferred to [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India]] and [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand|in Thailand]])
*{{flag|Belarus}} — de facto embassy in [[Minsk]] (closed in 2006, transferred to [[Representative Office in Moscow for the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission]])
*{{flag|Bolivia}} — Taipei Economic Office in [[La Paz]] (closed in 2009, transferred to [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Peru]])
*{{flag|Cambodia}} — de facto embassy in [[Phnom Penh]] (closed in 1997, transferred later to [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Ho Chi Minh City]])
*{{flag|Libya}} — [[Taiwan Commercial Office in Tripoli]] (closed in 2011, transferred to [[:zh:駐約旦臺北經濟文化辦事處|Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan]])
*{{flag|Norway}} — [[Taipei Representative Office in Norway]] (closed in 2017, transferred to [[Taipei Mission in Sweden]])
*{{flag|Uruguay}} — Taipei Economic Office in [[Montevideo]] (closed in 2002 temporary, transferred to [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Argentina]])
*{{flag|Venezuela}} — Taipei Economic Office in [[Caracas]] (closed in 2009, transferred to [[Taipei Commercial Office in Bogotá, Colombia]])

==See also==
* [[Political status of Taiwan]]
* [[Chinese Taipei]]
* [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]]
* [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada]]
* [[List of diplomatic missions of Taiwan]]
* [[Timeline of diplomatic relations of the Republic of China]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|first=Erik|last=Pajtinka|url=https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/jnmlp/11/1/article-p39.xml?language=en|title= Between Diplomacy and Paradiplomacy: Taiwan's Foreign Relations in Current Practice |journal=Journal of Nationalism, Memory & Language Politics|volume=11|issue=1|date=31 July 2007}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080424074047/http://www.taiwanembassy.org/mp.asp?mp=1 Overseas Office Republic of China (Taiwan)]
*[http://www.boca.gov.tw/mp?mp=2 Bureau of Consular Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501225715/http://www.boca.gov.tw/mp?mp=2 |date=2008-05-01 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080622005317/http://www.cieca.org.tw/DB/english_web/index.asp Chinese International Economic Association Cooperation]

{{Diplomatic missions of the Republic of China}}
{{Foreign relations of Taiwan}}

[[Category:Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices| ]]
[[Category:Politics of Taiwan]]