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Portugal–Taiwan relations

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Portugal–Taiwan relations
Map indicating locations of Portugal and Taiwan

Portugal
Taiwan

Portugal–Taiwan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Portugal (formally the Portuguese Republic) and Taiwan (formally the Republic of China).

Portugal does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, recognizing the People's Republic of China under the One China policy. Since the early 1990s, Portugal and Taiwan have maintained unofficial / non-diplomatic ties through representative offices. Although there are no formal diplomatic ties, both sides engage in commerce, cultural exchanges, and periodic political contacts, sharing values including democracy and human rights.[1]

History

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Portugal supported the PRC's accession to the United Nations in 1971, voting in favor of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI), which transferred China's UN seat from Taipei to Beijing.[2] However, Portugal recognized the ROC until 1975, when political changes occurring with the Carnation Revolution and subsequent decolonization shifted its foreign policy.

In 1992, Taiwan established the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Lisbon to represent its interests in Portugal, in lieu of formal embassy status.[3]

Representative offices

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Main article: Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Portugal

The Taiwanese government is represented in Portugal by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre (Centro Económico e Cultural de Taipei em Portugal), located in Lisbon, established in July 1992.[4] This office performs functions similar to those of an embassy: consular services, promotion of trade, cultural and educational cooperation.[5]

Portugal has no representative office in Taiwan currently.[6]

Economic relations

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Trade between Taiwan and Portugal has been growing in recent years. Bilateral trade between Taiwan and Portugal reached US$770 million in 2023, ranking Portugal as Taiwan's 15th largest trading partner in Europe. The main Taiwanese exports to Portugal include integrated circuits, vehicle parts, and hot-rolled iron. In 2023, Taiwan's exports to Portugal were US$560 million, representing a decrease of 6.46% over the previous year, making Portugal Taiwan's 14th largest export market in Europe.[7] As of 2023, Portuguese enterprises have invested a total of 57 cases in Taiwan, with a cumulative value of US$240 million.[8]

In November 2024, the first ever "Portugal–Taiwan Forum" was held in Lisbon to identify synergies and business opportunities despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition. [9]

Political exchanges

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In February 2020, amid the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the chairman of the Portugal–Taiwan parliamentary friendship group wrote to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging the correction of what he called inappropriate references to Taiwan in WHO situation reports.[10]

In April 2023, then Vice President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan received a delegation from the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic led by Paulo Rios de Oliveira. They discussed deepening ties in areas such as economy and security, and emphasized shared values of democracy and human rights.[11]

On 17 June 2025, Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament Salema da Silva urged the new Portuguese government to deepen relations with Taiwan, announcing plans to propose several resolutions. These included following the example of other EU member states by promoting the establishment of a representative office in Taipei. He called on the government to "show courage" and not "yield to China".[12]

Cultural and educational exchanges

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While specific programs are less documented in public sources, there is regular cultural promotion via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Portugal, including events for Portuguese citizens and Taiwan community groups.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "VP Lai receives Portuguese parliamentary delegation". Taiwan Today. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  2. ^ "General Assembly, 26th session : 1976th plenary meeting, Monday, 25 October 1971, New York (A/PV.1976)". United Nations Digital Library. 1974. p. 41. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  3. ^ Trade and Economic Relations between Denmark and Taiwan 1949-1997, Kjeld Erik Brødsgaard in China and Denmark: Relations Since 1674, Kjeld Erik Brødsgaard, Mads Kirkebæk, NIAS Press, 2001, page 282
  4. ^ "ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad – Portugal". Bureau of Consular Affairs (Taiwan), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Economic and Cultural Center of Taiwan in Lisbon, Portugal". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Taiwan envoy in Lisbon urges Portugal to open representation in Taipei". Portugal Resident. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Chinese Taipei-Portugal Trade". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Taiwan-Portugal Economic Relations". 23 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Portugal-Taiwan Forum aims for business 'synergies' despite lack of formal ties". LUSA / Aman Alliance. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  10. ^ 崔慈悌 (9 February 2020). "WHO將台灣置於中國大陸疫區 友台國家關切要求更正". China Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  11. ^ "VP Lai receives Portuguese parliamentary delegation". Taiwan Today. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  12. ^ 曾婷瑄 (19 June 2025). "葡萄牙副議長薩萊瓦籲勿屈服中國 擬推動設立在台代表處". Central News Agency (Taiwan) (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Taiwan a key democratic partner, says visiting Portuguese lawmaker". Focus Taiwan. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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