Belgium–Taiwan relations

Belgian–Taiwanese relations
Map indicating locations of Belgium and Taiwan

Belgium
Taiwan

Belgium–Taiwan relations are relations between Belgium (formally the Kingdom of Belgium) and Taiwan (formally the Republic of China).

History

In 2020, Belgium's Chamber of Representatives passed a resolution of support for Taiwan. In 2021, the Flemish Parliament did the same passing a resolution in support of Taiwan with 117 votes in favor, no votes in opposition, and four abstentions.[1]

In 2024 former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited Belgium.[2][3]

In 2025 the Belgian Chamber of Representatives passed a resolution which criticized China's conduct in the Taiwan Strait and voiced support for Taiwan in the face of growing pressure from China.[4] China had previously warned the Belgian parliament against adopting this measure.[5]

Commercial relations

Flemish wind power companies Jan De Nul and DEME are involved in offshore wind farm development in Taiwan.[6]

In 2025 Matthieu Branders, Belgium's representative in Taiwan, noted that cooperation in the semiconductor sector between the National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan) and Belgium's Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre was the cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries.[7]

Representative offices

Taipei Representative Office in Brussels

This section is an excerpt from Taipei Representative Office in Brussels.[edit]
Plaque of the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium

The Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium (Chinese: 駐歐盟兼駐比利時代表處; pinyin: Zhù Ōuméng Jiān Zhù Bǐlìshí Dàibiǎo Chù) represents interests of Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belgium, Luxembourg, as well as in the European Union institutions, in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy.

It was established in 1976 as the Chambre de Commerce Sino-Belge.[8] It was later renamed Far East Trading Services, Inc.[9]

Since the closure of the Luxembourg City office in 2002, it has also been responsible for relations with Luxembourg.[10] The Luxembourg office had been established in 1975 as the Centre Sun Yat-sen.[8]

The Office is headed by a Representative, currently Remus Li-Kuo Chen appointed October 2022, replacing Tsai Ming-yen appointed in June 2020.[11]

Its counterparts in Taiwan are the European Economic and Trade Office,[12] Belgian Office,[13] and the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ McCartney, Micah (4 March 2021). "Flemish Parliament throws support behind Taiwan". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  2. ^ Yang, William. "Former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen heads to Europe this week". voanews.com. Voice of America. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Tsai visits Czechia, France and Belgium on Europe tour". taiwantoday.tw. Taiwan Today. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  4. ^ DeAeth, Duncan. "Belgian Chamber of Representatives passes pro-Taiwan resolution". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  5. ^ MOENS, BARBARA. "China warns Belgium is 'playing with fire' on Taiwan". politico.eu. Politico. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  6. ^ Pei-chun, Tang; Yu-chen, Chung; Lim, Emerson (4 March 2021). "Flemish parliament passes resolution to strengthen ties with Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Belgian envoy to Taiwan calls for closer cooperation". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b Pretence of Privatisation: Taiwan's External Relations, Françoise Mengin, inPrivatising the State, Béatrice Hibou, C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2004, pages 154
  9. ^ Taiwan Business: The Portable Encyclopedia for Doing Business with Taiwan, Christine Genzberger, World Trade Press, 1994, page 272
  10. ^ Relations with the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg Archived 2014-10-31 at the Wayback Machine, Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium
  11. ^ Su, Long-chi; Lim, Emerson (11 June 2020). "President Tsai appoints new EU, UK envoys". Central News Agency. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  12. ^ "European Union". europa.eu.
  13. ^ "Belgian Office, Taipei".
  14. ^ Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office, Taipei (Chinese)
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