TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Nations have expanded their diplomatic presence in Taiwan, reflecting its growing importance to the international community.
Nikkei Asia reported Taipei welcomed approximately 400 official and de facto diplomats last year, a 300-person increase compared with 2022. The report contacted missions for comment and found increasing numbers from countries like the US, the UK, and Japan.
The report noted the increasing prestige of Taipei postings — once seen as less prestigious than China. It also said missions have expanded work with local think tanks such as DSET on energy, semiconductor, and drone projects, per its CEO Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang.
The US hosts the largest diplomatic mission in Taiwan via the American Institute in Taiwan, its de facto embassy. Taiwan hosted over 110 US diplomats last year, compared to 80 in 2022, the report said, while AIT employs over 550 staff per its website.
According to retired US Ambassador Stephen Young, the numbers reflect Taiwan's growing recognition as a technological force, along with international concerns about its defense from China. Young said when he was AIT director from 2006 to 2009, the staff numbered around 250.
Young brought up concerns that US President Donald Trump could decrease the US diplomatic presence in Taiwan. The Trump administration has slashed foreign development and aid programs, while Trump has said Taiwan should do more to defend itself.
"I do worry that Mr. Trump might seek to reduce the numbers," the article quoted Young as saying. “But Taiwan has many friends on both sides of the aisle in both the House and Senate. So he would face a great deal of pushback if he tried.”
In addition, Japan has increased its diplomatic presence in Taiwan, with 40 diplomats reported last year, compared to 25 in 2022. The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Japan’s de facto embassy in Taipei, has seen staff rise from roughly 50 to 110 in the past five years.
Furthermore, the Australian Office in Taiwan has over 50 workers, including an individual designated to handle military and defense matters, the report said.
Meanwhile, the German Institute Taipei will add a new position in its political department. It will also hire more staff to handle consular affairs, which it said is related to TSMC’s investments in the country.
Missions from the Czech Republic, Sweden, and the European Union have also reported personnel expansion.
