The bilateral relations between Italy and the Republic of China (Taiwan) began with official diplomatic relations from 1913 to 1941 and from 1944 to 1970, but these were interrupted by World War II. Since 6 November 1970, Italy has recognized the People's Republic of China under the "One China policy," and thus maintains relations with Taiwan through unofficial channels.Major events in China-Italy relations , Xinhua News, May 7, 2004
Trade links Despite the absence of diplomatic relations, trade links between Italy and Taiwan accounted for US$4.13 billion in 2014, with Italy being Taiwan's fifth largest trading partner in Europe. Approximately 40 Taiwanese companies had investments in Italy worth US$322 million in 2011.Taiwan, Italy resume trade talks after 40-year hiatus, Taiwan Today, May 5, 2011 In 2015, the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament, passed a bill on avoiding double taxation with Taiwan.Italy passes bill on double taxation avoidance in ROC, The China Post, April 17, 2015 An agreement to that effect was completed in 2016.Taiwan, Italy sign agreement to avoid double taxation and tax evasion, according to MOFA, The China Post, February 17, 2016
Representative offices
Taiwan is represented by the Taipei Representative Office in Rome.Il Sindaco Ignazio Marino incontra Stanley Kao, Rappresentante di Taiwan in Italia, Roma Capitale, 6 March 2014 This also has responsibility for San Marino, Malta, Albania and Macedonia.Europe Area , Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China) This was established in 1990 as the Associazione Economica e Culturale di Taipei, before adopting its present name in 1996.
Another body, based in Milan, known as Centro Commerciale Per L'Estremo Oriente, had previously been established as a trade office in the early 1970s.Taiwan Trade Monthly of the Republic of China, Volume 10, Epoch Publicity Agency, 1972, page 45 This is now known as the "Taiwan Trade Center", operated by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.Taiwan Trade Center Milano , Taiwan External Trade Development Council
Similarly, Italy is represented by the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office in Taipei. It was established in its present form in 1995.Italy to send representative, Taipei Times, February 16, 2003 It was originally established in 1989 as the "Italian Trade and Economic Center".A Pretence of Privatisation: Taiwan's External Relations, Françoise Mengin, in Privatising the State, Béatrice Hibou, C. Hurst & Co. Publishers, 2004, pages 164 Arrangements for the opening of the office were made through San Shin Trading Ltd., the local agent for Fiat cars in Taiwan.Italy Plans Taipei Trade Office , Free China Journal, May 29, 1989
In 1992, the Office was renamed the "Italian Trade Promotion Office".Long history of people-to-people contact , Taiwan Today, October 23, 1992 In that year, it also began issuing visas.Given a Unique Model of Bilateral Relations, Can Taiwan Be an Actor on the World Stage?, Françoise Mengin in Contemporary China and the Changing International Community in Bih-jaw Lin, University of South Carolina Press, 1994, page 165 Previously, visa applications were forwarded to the Italian Consulate General in Hong Kong.Daily Report: People's Republic of China, Issues 242-252, Foreign Broadcast Information Service National Technical Information Service, 1992, page 54 In contrast to other countries, during the SARS crisis in 2003, Italy did not impose travel restrictions or quarantines on Taiwan tourists, with the Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office continuing to issue visas as normal.33 countries impose curbs on travel by Taiwan visitors, The China Post, June 3, 2003
History Italy attempting to purchase Taiwan in the 1880s, and it appears such a transaction negotiated never materialized.A Military History of Italy by Ciro Paoletti, Page 126. https://archive.org/details/militaryhistoryo0000paol/mode/1up During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, Japan and Italy had diplomatic relations.
Until 1970, the Republic of China (Taiwan) was represented by an embassy in Rome and a consulate-general in Milan.ROC severs relations with Italy , Taiwan Info, 8 November 1970 This was separate from the Embassy of the Republic of China to the Holy See, which, while located in Italian territory, remains accredited to the Vatican City.New ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador Lee presents his Credentials to Pope Francis Embassy of the Republic of China to the Holy See This led to confusion in 1989 following the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, when Italians protested outside the embassy, believing it to be that of the People's Republic of China.Taiwan's Expanding Role in the International Arena: Entering the United Nations, Maysing H. Yang, Routledge, 3 Jun 2015, page 189
Taiwan's China Airlines began flights between Taipei and Rome in 1995, which became a codeshare service with Alitalia in 2003.China Airlines And Alitalia Announce Code-Share Cooperation , China Airlines, October 27, 2003
In 2005, then President Chen Shui-bian was given permission to enter Italy to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II, travelling on a China Airlines charter flight.Italy allows Chen entry as president, Taipei Times, April 8, 2005
In 2014, Taiwan decided not to participate in Expo 2015 in Milan after the Italian government proposed that it be represented as a corporate entity rather than as a country.Taiwan shuns Milan expo after sovereignty squabble, Taipei Times, November 26, 2014
In 2020 Taiwan donated equipment and supplies to Italy as part of its medical diplomacy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Equipment donated included 15 respirators donated to who hospitals in the hard hit Lombardy region in April 2020.
In September 2024, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved a resolution supporting Taiwan's participation in the United Nations system. In January 2025, Marco Osnato led a cross-party delegation of Italian lawmakers to Taiwan and met with Taiwanese official Shen You-chung.
Diplomats
Taiwan's Representatives to Italy Edward Tzu-Yu Wu (26 Dec 1990 – 3 Mar 1993) Joe Hung (1 Apr 1993 – 18 Aug 2000) Stanley Kao (25 May 2013 – 5 Jun 2016) Sing-Ying Lee (31 Jul 2018 – Jan 2023) Vincent Y.C. Tsai (Jan 2023 – Incumbent）
See also Foreign relations of Italy Foreign relations of Taiwan T75 pistol
References