Saudi Arabian Trade Office in Taipei


The Saudi Arabian Trade Office in Taipei represents the interests of Saudi Arabia in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy.

History

Until 1990, Saudi Arabia had diplomatic relations with Taiwan as the Republic of China, and had an embassy in Taipei. However, in that year, the kingdom recognised the People's Republic of China as the sovereign state, which only represents China and denies the independent status of Taiwan.
Its counterpart is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Both offices were set up in 1991, following the signing of a secret memorandum six months after the severing of diplomatic relations.
The Office is headed by Rafat Ahmed Khaleel Al Sayed, and was formerly by Talat Ibrahim Muslimani.