Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain; (Chinese: 駐西班牙台北代表處; pinyin: Zhù Xībānyá Dàibiǎo Chù) (Spanish: Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei en España) represents the interests of Taiwan in Spain in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy. Its counterpart in Taiwan is the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.^[3]

駐西班牙台北經濟文化辦事處 Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Spain Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei en España
Agency overview
Formed	1973 (as Centro Sun Yat-sen)[1]
Jurisdiction	Spain  Equatorial Guinea
Headquarters	Madrid, Spain
Agency executive	TBA, Representative[2]
Website	Oficina Económica y Cultural de Taipei en España

The Office is headed by a Representative, currently Viva Chang.^[2]

History

The office was established as the Centro Sun Yat-sen in 1973.^[1] Previously, Spain recognised Taiwan as the Republic of China, which was represented by an embassy in Madrid.^[4] There were close relations between the governments of Francisco Franco and Chiang Kai-shek, both of which were anti-communist.^[5] However, diplomatic relations were severed in 1973 when Spain recognised the People's Republic of China.^[6]

Representatives

• Hou Ching-shan (2010–2015)
• Simon Ko (2016–2018)
• José María Liu (2018–2023)
• Viva Chang [zh] (2023-2024)
• TBA

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Taiwan
• List of diplomatic missions in Spain