Palestine–Taiwan relations

Not to be confused with China–Palestine relations.
Palestine–Taiwan relations

Palestine
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
NoneNone
Envoy
NoneNone

Palestine–Taiwan relations (Chinese: 中華民國—巴勒斯坦關係; Arabic: العلاقات فلسطين جمهورية الصين) refers to the bilateral relations between Palestine (officially, State of Palestine) and Taiwan (officially, Republic of China). The two states currently do not have official diplomatic relations, and also do not have diplomatic missions at each other's capitals. Taiwan handles Palestinian affairs through its Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv and in Jordan.[1]

Diplomatic relations

See also: Foreign relations of Taiwan and Foreign relations of Palestine

On 10 May 1994, Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui visited then-diplomatic state South Africa to attend the inauguration of newly-elected president Nelson Mandela. During the event, Lee met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the two spoke briefly.[2][3]

On 14 June 2023, Palestine signed a strategic partnership agreement with China, where Palestine affirmed its support for the One China principle with the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative, and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, opposing any idea of Taiwanese independence.[4][5]

On 7 October 2023, Hamas and its allies conducted the October 7 attacks against Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages. Following this, the Taiwanese foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack.[6][7]

On 21 September 2025, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations shared a post on Twitter (or X) involving a world map of the International recognition of Palestine. The map classified Taiwan as "states that have recognized State of Palestine or expressed their intention to do so", and did not differentiate between the Chinese and Taiwanese positions.[8] In response, the Taiwanese foreign ministry criticized this post for disrespecting Taiwanese sovereignty, and reiterated that the Taiwanese government does not have plans to recognize Palestine at the moment. The ministry also called on Palestine to friendly interact with Taiwan on a basis of mutual respect.[9][10]

Trade relations

See also: Economy of Taiwan and Economy of Palestine
Recent bilateral trade volume (in USD)[11]
Year Trade volume Taiwan→Palestine Palestine→Taiwan
Amount Annual change Ranking Amount Annual change ranking Amount Annual change Ranking
2017 371,900 52.9% 202 368,626 53.2% 195 3,274 232.0% 220
2018 734,318 97.5% 195 721,967 95.9% 185 12,351 277.2% 215
2019 676,995 7.8% 196 676,995 6.2% 182 -- -- 236
2020 1,269,690 87.5% 184 1,257,295 85.7% 169 12,395 -- 205
2021 2,479,727 95.3% 180 2,478,063 97.1% 163 1,664 86.6% 228
2022 5,191,007 109.3% 166 5,190,913 109.5% 149 94 94.4% 242
2023 4,821,816 7.1% 165 4,820,183 7.1% 148 1,633 1,637.2% 218
2024 2,998,653 37.8% 175 2,998,653 37.8% 156 -- -- 245

In 2023, the main trade products are as follows:

Taiwanese exports to Palestine: telephones (including smartphones), other devices that transmit sound or images, wireless network devices, furniture, water (including mineral water, soft drinks and carbonated water), other drinks that include sugar or sweeteners but are non-alcoholic; wrenches and pliers, interchangeable wrench sockets (with or without handles), hand tools, blowtorches, Lineman's pliers, tongs, cutting boards, portable forges, grinding wheels, Pneumatic, hydraulic, electric and non-electric motors, files, tweezers, scissors, pipecutters, bolt cutters, retail tools made of two or more parts, and other miscellaneous items valued at less than $50,000 NTD.[12]

Palestinian exports to Taiwan: synthetic or reconstructed gemstones, special products, other miscellaneous items valued at less than $50,000 NTD.[12]

Humanitarian aid

Since 7 October 2023, the Taiwanese government and much of Taiwanese public has tended to support Israel during the Gaza war, though there are also pro-Palestinian organizations in Taiwan who have frequently protested against Israel.[13][14][15][16] The Taiwanese foreign ministry distributes humanitarian aid to the population in the Gaza Strip through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan and Mercy Corps. In May 2024, the Taiwanese government donated $500,000 USD to Mercy Corps as funds for distributing humanitarian supplies to Gazan civilians, such as food, drinking water, clothing, and tents.[17][18]

On 15 September 2025, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv collaborated with the charity Save a Child's Heart to establish a program to help Palestinian children with heart disease and to provide training for Palestinian medical staff. The first phase saw 10 Palestinian children from the West Bank receive treatment in a children's hospital in Israel, along with the training of Palestinian doctors.[19][20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "駐台拉維夫台北經濟文化辦事處簡介" [Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv Introduction]. 中華民國駐外單位聯合網站. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. ^ 李心怡 (15 March 2004). "李登輝年表". New Taiwan Weekly. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  3. ^ 上土反冬子 (8 June 2001). "《虎口的總統－李登輝與曾文惠》". Taiwanus.net 台灣海外網. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. ^ "中华人民共和国和巴勒斯坦国关于建立战略伙伴关系的联合声明（全文）" [Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the State of Palestine on Establishing a Strategic Partnership (Full Text)] (in Simplified Chinese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China). Archived from the original on 15 June 2023.
  5. ^ "China inks 'strategic partnership' with Palestinan Authority as it expands Middle East presence". AP News. 14 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023.
  6. ^ "MOFA condemns terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinian military group Hamas". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Taiwan says all its citizens in Israel safe, condemns Hamas". Taiwan News. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024.
  8. ^ "The world map today 🇵🇸". Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations. 21 September 2025. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ 楊堯茹 (22 September 2025). "外交部：無規劃承認巴勒斯坦國　將台灣納入中國有失尊重" [Foreign Ministry: No plans to recognize Palestine, Incorporating Taiwan as part of China is Disrespectful] (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Central News Agency (Taiwan).
  10. ^ "MOFA says no plan yet to recognize a Palestinian state". Taipei Times. 23 September 2025. Archived from the original on 22 September 2025.
  11. ^ "中華民國進出口貿易統計". International Trade Administration (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  12. ^ a b "近二年我國對當地出口主要產品". Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  13. ^ 王秋燕 (8 October 2024). "專訪以色列代表》游瑪雅：想與「挺巴勒斯坦團體」對話但沒機會，想知道他們怎麼看哈瑪斯". The Storm Media. Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  14. ^ 可以自由巴 For Peace Taiwan. "【活動】「拒當種族滅絕共犯，停止輸送軍武零件」: 台灣聲援巴勒斯坦大遊行". National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  15. ^ 台灣巴勒斯坦自由連線 (14 October 2024). "【新聞稿】「從河到海，反抗同在」：台灣挺巴勒斯坦大遊行" [Taiwan Stands with Palestine March]. National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 22 January 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Civil groups hold protest in support of Palestine". Taipei Times. 14 April 2025. Archived from the original on 13 April 2025.
  17. ^ 楊堯茹 (29 July 2025). "外交部：台灣護照已可進出、過境索馬利亞及索馬利蘭". Central News Agency (Taiwan).
  18. ^ "Nation donates aid of US$500,000 to Gaza NGO". Taipei Times. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024.
  19. ^ 楊堯茹 (16 September 2025). "以色列駐處攜手拯救兒童心臟基金會　助巴勒斯坦病童". Central News Agency (Taiwan).
  20. ^ "Taïwan participe à un programme international médical pour les enfants en Palestine" (in French). RFI Taiwan. 16 September 2025. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025.
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