The Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre; (Chinese: 駐葡萄牙台北經濟文化中心; pinyin: Zhù Pútáoyá Táiběi Jīngjì Wénhuà Zhōngxīn) (Portuguese: Centro Económico e Cultural de Taipei) represents the interests of Taiwan in Portugal in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy.
| Centro Económico e Cultural de Taipei | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1992 |
| Jurisdiction |  Portugal(including  Azoresand  Madeira) Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Headquarters | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | Centro Económico e Cultural de Taipei |
There is currently no counterpart organisation representing Portugal in Taipei.[2]
The Centre was established in 1992.[3] It is headed by a Representative, Vivia Chun-Fei Chang.[1]
In addition to responsibility for Portugal, including the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, it also has responsibility Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe in Africa.[4]
History
From 1950 to 1975, Portugal recognised Taiwan as the Republic of China, which had a legation in Lisbon, as well as a Consulate in Dili in the then Portuguese Timor.[5] In March 1975, following the Carnation Revolution the previous year, the new Portuguese government ordered Taipei to close its Legation.[6] Portugal later established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979.[7]
Taiwan was also represented in Macau when it was under Portuguese administration by the "Special Commissariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China".[8] However, following the "12-3" riots in 1966, the Portuguese government agreed to close its office down.[9]