Just an awkward accommodation? A study on the role and function of the Taipei economic and cultural office

Abstract

Due to its diplomatic isolation since being ousted from the United Nations in 1971, the Republic of China (ROC; Taiwan) has to rely mainly on para-diplomacy for its external affairs. Taipei therefore operates close to a hundred unofficial overseas missions to represent it in states which do not recognise it as a sovereign state. Typically called Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (TECO), they are officially private institutions. This Graduation Project seeks to find out whether TECOs can be considered diplomatic missions, except in name. By establishing a benchmark on what constitutes a diplomatic mission, the thesis posits that whether or not TECOs can be defined as diplomatic missions largely depends on the host state and the strength of bilateral relations between it and the ROC. The diplomatic and legal status of the ROC, including the rationale for setting up TECOs, coupled with their symbolism and implications will also be discussed.