In the pre-1971 period, “One China” for Turkey was the Republic of China in Taiwan and the two countries were in cooperation against communist expansion. However, in 1971, though being reluctant for the expulsion of Taiwan from the United Nations, Turkey recognized People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of China and pursued the “One China” policy in that respect. Thus, in the post-1971 period, Turkey’s relations with Taiwan have continued only in terms of economy, trade and culture without recognizing it as an independent political unit. Beginning from early 1990s, Turkey began to take initiatives to increase...

Until 1971, the Republic of China had been recognized by all Western countries and occupied a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Turkey was one of those countries preferring to recognize the ROC over the PRC, aiming to pursue a positive policy of developing economic and cultural relations with Taiwan. Thus, in the period between 1949 and 1971, the “One China” for Turkey was the ROC in Taiwan, and the two countries were in cooperation against communist expansion.

In 1956, there was a significant bilateral exchange of visits and an expansion of relations with the aim of strengthening ties...

In the beginning of 1970s, international relations witnessed a remarkable change. The US began to pursue a policy of rapprochement with the PRC, seeking a containment policy in Asia toward the Soviet Union.

The rapproachment between Washington and Beijing was a relatively easy task due to the problematic Chinese relations with Moscow. As per the agreement between Washington and Beijing, the US recognized the PRC as the sole legal representative of China and the ROC as a part of China instead of an independent state. Thus, this agreement required the transfer of the Chinese seat in the UN Security Council...

The legal status of Taiwan also became an obstacle for the further development of Turkish-Taiwanese economic relations.

The legal status of Taiwan also became an obstacle for the further development of Turkish-Taiwanese economic relations. Due to the lack of diplomatic recognition, no treaties have been signed since 1971. However, in order to secure the future of economic and trade relations, the diplomatic missions continued to function under the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Office” in Ankara, and “Turkish Trade Office” in Taipei.¹⁹

The rapid economic development of Turkey in the 2000s stimulated its search for entering new markets. In this regard,...

Considering the issue of China and Taiwan from the perspective of Turkey, the following situation has been observed: Based on its “One China” policy, Ankara accepts Taiwan as part of China, just as it does Hong Kong and Macao, and does certainly not recognize Taiwan as a seperate independent political unit.

Since 1971, Taiwan’s embassy in Ankara has continued to perform its diplomatic mission under the name “Taipei Economic and Cultural Office”. However, its highest-level correspondent is not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but instead the Ministry of Economy. Since present conditions do not permit further development of bilateral relations,...

Considering Turkey’s policies toward Taiwan from a general perspective, there is not much to evaluate except bilateral trade relations. Moreover, there seems to be no concrete strategic roadmap for the future of current trade relations.

Considering Turkey’s policies toward Taiwan from a general perspective, there is not much to evaluate except bilateral trade relations. Moreover, there seems to be no concrete strategic roadmap for the future of current trade relations. On the one hand, Ankara is willing to develop its relations with Taipei due to economic reasons, but on the other, it shows an inconsistent stance due to the possible...