Rapid Fire
Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC)
- 30 Oct 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, China has expressed its opposition to the Taiwanese government establishing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Mumbai. It is Taiwan’s third office in India, following the openings in New Delhi (1995) and Chennai (2012).
- About TECC:
- In 1993, India and Taiwan set up representative offices: the India-Taipei Association in Taipei and the TECC in New Delhi.
- Other countries, like the US, Australia, and Russia, also maintain such centers to support visa services and cultural-economic exchanges.
- China’s Stand on TECC:
- China’s official stance is that there is only one China, which includes Taiwan as an inseparable part, with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government.
- India recognised the PRC in 1950, becoming one of the earliest countries to do so, and does not officially recognise Taiwan.
- India-Taiwan Relations:
- After Independence, India did not formally recognize Taiwan or the Republic of China, lacking diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, in 1995, India and Taiwan established unofficial relations, opening representative offices.
- Over the years, India's approach to Taiwan has changed significantly, with relations advancing considerably.
- India’s economic rise and growing international profile in the 2000s facilitated Taiwan's engagement with India.
- A 2023 press release from Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry noted India-Taiwan trade growth from USD 2 billion in 2006 to USD 8.9 billion in 2021.
- As a key tech hub and top semiconductor producer, Taiwan shares India’s interest in stronger ties, with its 2016 "New Southbound Policy" aiming to reduce reliance on single markets, especially China.
Read More: China-Taiwan Conflict
