Australian Office, Taipei


The Australian Office in Taipei represents Australian interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy. The Office is headed by a Representative.
Its counterpart in Australia is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia in Canberra.
WWW australia.org.tw/tpei/hom...𝕏 ausofficeTPEFB australianofficetaipeiIG ausofficetpe

History

Before 1972, Australia recognised the Republic of China, and had an embassy in Taipei, opened in 1966. In 1972, diplomatic relations were ended following the decision of the government of
Gough Whitlam to recognise the People's Republic of China.
An unofficial organisation known as the Australia-Free China Society, established an office in 1974 to provide services for Australians visiting Taiwan, headed by Lu Chen-kai, Secretary-General of the Sino-Australian Cultural and Economic Association in Taipei. In Australia, Douglas Darby, a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, President of the Australia-Free China Society, represented Taiwan in Australia.
In 1981, The Australian Commerce and Industry Office under the Australian Chamber of Commerce was established in Taipei, which acted as an unofficial representative. The office adopted its present name in 2012 and is currently administered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Visa and Citizenship Office in Seoul, South Korea manages visa services for applicants in Taiwan.