Croatia–Taiwan relations
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Croatia–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between Croatia (officially the Republic of Croatia) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, ROC). The two countries do not maintain official diplomatic relations as Croatia adheres to the One China policy, but contacts occur primarily through humanitarian cooperation, and academic exchanges, but have expanded contacts in finance, academia, and public diplomacy.
History
Croatia does not recognise the Republic of China and maintains diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Nevertheless, Taiwan and Croatia have developed unofficial ties through stock exchange cooperation, academic exchanges, and cultural outreach programs.
Representative offices
In the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Taiwan is represented in Croatia by the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Austria, which is concurrently accredited to Croatia.[1] Croatia does not have a representative office in Taiwan, but maintains contact through the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei.
Economic and financial cooperation
On 15 February 2017, the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) and the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) signed a memorandum of understanding in Taipei to strengthen cooperation in the securities sector.[2]
The agreement provided for:
- establishing a communication mechanism between the two exchanges
- sharing market information
- mutual assistance in maintaining orderly securities markets
- exploring joint staff training programs
TPEx CEO Su Yu-ching and ZSE President Ivana Gažić signed the agreement during a delegation visit jointly organised by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The mission aimed to understand Taiwan's capital markets and its support network for small and medium enterprises. Taiwan has collaborated with the EBRD since 1991 on projects including syndicated lending and trade confirmations, and continues to support the development of funding mechanisms in recipient countries, including Croatia.[3]
In 2023, Taiwan exported US$51.3 million to Croatia, where the main products included Coated Flat-Rolled Iron, Broadcasting Equipment, and Office Machine Parts. In the same year, Croatia exported US$21.1 million to Taiwan, where the main products included Gas Turbines, other Heating Machinery, and Centrifuges. Over the past 5 years, exports from Taiwan to Croatia have decreased at an average annual rate of 0.89%, decreasing from $53.6M in 2018 to $51.3M in 2023 whilst exports from Croatia to Taiwan have increased 31.7%, growing from US$5.33 million in 2018 to US$21.1 million in 2023.[4]
Academic and cultural exchanges
Croatia and Taiwan also maintain academic ties. In May 2014, the University of Zagreb co-organised a public lecture with the Taiwan Research Center in Ljubljana, featuring Dr. Gary D. Rawnsley, a scholar of public diplomacy. Rawnsley discussed Taiwan's soft power strategies, the challenges of political communication in Taiwanese democracy, and the interplay between journalists and politicians.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Legalizations of documents from Slovenia and Croatia". Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Austria. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ "Taiwan, Croatian exchanges sign cooperation agreement". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). 16 February 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ "Croatia and Taiwan Expand Economic Relations Despite Pandemic". Total Croatia News. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ "Croatia's exports to Chinese Taipei". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
- ^ "Taiwan Lecture in Croatia: Taiwan's soft power & political communications in Taiwan". Ministry of Education (Taiwan). 19 May 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2025.