China lodges protest with India over Taiwan's new office

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China has lodged a protest with India over a new representative office established by Taiwan in the financial capital Mumbai, state media reported.

Beijing “firmly opposes any form of official interactions with China's Taiwan region by countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including the establishment of representative offices,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters.

Mao said China has “lodged solemn representations with India” over the issue.

Taiwan, which China considers its “breakaway province,” on Wednesday officially opened its third office in India.

The island nation has said the opening of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) represents the “continued promise to enhance bilateral ties.”

India does not recognize Taiwan as a separate nation, abides by one-China policy but interactions with Taipei have seen uptick in recent years.

Taiwan’s first representative office was opened in New Delhi in 1995 while the second is based in Chennai which is functional since 2012.

The bilateral trade between the two increased by 64% to $8.2 billion between 2016 and 2023, making India the 16th largest trading partner of Taiwan.

Nearly 260 Taiwanese companies operate in India, with investments of about $5 billion.

While Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949, the number of its full diplomatic allies has reduced to 12 this year.