Brunei–Taiwan relations

Brunei–Taiwan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Brunei (officially the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China). The two countries do not maintain formal diplomatic ties, as Brunei recognises the People's Republic of China (PRC), but they maintain unofficial relations through their respective representative offices and cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural-exchange fields.

According to the Taiwan Representative to Brunei Andrew Lee, approximately 8 percent – or about 37,000 – of Brunei's total population of 460,000 people have ancestry that can be traced back to Kinmen County in Taiwan.^[1]

While Brunei and Taiwan have had informal contact for decades, Brunei has formally upheld the one-China policy, recognising the PRC. In February 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly denounced a joint statement by Brunei and China which reaffirmed Brunei’s adherence to the One China policy and described Taiwan as part of Chinese territory.^[2]

Despite this diplomatic constraint, Taiwan and Brunei have deepened practical cooperation. For example, in December 2020 the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote a halal-economy value chain, based on exports of Taiwanese halal certified foods and Brunei’s position as a gateway to the Muslim market.^[3]

In June 2025, Brunei granted visa-free entry for Taiwanese passport holders for stays up to 14 days, marking a milestone in the bilateral exchanges.^[4][5]

• Taiwan’s interests in Brunei are represented by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, which functions as a de facto embassy. In 1978, the establishment was established as the Far East Trade and Cultural Centre in Brunei Darussalam and it is renamed to its current name in 1996.^[6] The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei promotes cultural understanding, educational links and exchange visits. The office is responsible for fostering contacts with Bruneian government ministries, academic institutions and think tanks, as well as encouraging student exchanges and cultural exhibitions. Furthermore, the visa-free entry accord for Taiwanese in 2025 is expected to expand tourism, business travel, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

• Brunei does not maintain a formal mission in Taiwan; relations are conducted via unofficial channels.

Agricultural trade is a growing segment of the bilateral commerce. Taiwanese exports to Brunei have notably increased between 2012 and 2021, with Taiwanese exports to Brunei rising by about 103% and Brunei’s exports to Taiwan increasing by some 1,756% over that period. In 2021, Brunei exported approximately US$7 million of agricultural products to Taiwan and imported about US$6.8 million from Taiwan.^[7]

In 2020, the two countries signed an MOU on halal-compliant product development and trade, which is intended to deepen cooperation in food standards and access to global Muslim markets via Brunei.^[3]

In February 2023, Taiwan began exporting 3,000 kg of custard apples from Taitung County to Brunei after China suspended imports of the fruit from Taiwan in 2021. The shipments reached six supermarkets in Brunei by mid-February and were hailed by Taiwanese officials as a "breakthrough" in expanding into Southeast Asian markets. Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling noted that while the volume was small, the move "opened a path" to new markets and represented Taiwan's broader strategy to diversify agricultural exports away from China.^[8]

• Foreign relations of Taiwan
• Foreign relations of Brunei

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam