British Office, Taipei
The British Office, Taipei, formerly British Trade and Cultural Office, is the List of diplomatic missions of [the United Kingdom|representative office] of the United Kingdom Government in Taiwan. It maintains and develops financial, educational, cultural, and technological relations and provides assistance to British nationals in Taiwan. It functions as a de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations between Westminster and Taipei.
Its Taiwanese counterpart in the United Kingdom is the Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom.
Background
There are hundreds of UK companies in Taiwan across sectors such as finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, environmental technology, creative industries and marine industries. The late 2010s presented particular opportunities in offshore wind, railways and nuclear decommissioning. Taiwan also serves as a springboard into China for UK companies.Location
The office has been located in President International Tower in Xinyi District since 22 January 2008. It is accessible within walking distance south of Taipei City Hall Station of the Taipei Metro.The office is co-located with the British Council and the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.
History
The office, then known as the British Trade and Cultural Office, was opened in October 1993. It succeeded the Anglo-Taiwan Trade Committee, a privately financed entity established in 1976, following the closure of the British Consulate in Tamsui, Taipei County in 1972. Unlike its predecessor, it could issue visas directly to people in Taiwan.The British Council, which had taken over and expanded the functions of the private Anglo-Taiwan Education Centre, operated the Office's Cultural and Education Section.
On 26 May 2015, its name was changed to British Office Taipei to reflect the full scope of the office work, and the title of its head was changed from "Director General" to "Representative".