Liberia–Taiwan relations

Liberia–Taiwan relations

Liberia
Taiwan

Liberia–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between the Liberia (officially the Republic of Liberia) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China). The two countries maintained official diplomatic relations from 1957 to 1977 and again from 1989 to 2003. Since their second break in relations, neither side has maintained an embassy-level representative office in the other's capital. At present, Taiwan's affairs relating to Liberia are handled by the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria.[1]

History

Liberia and Taiwan established legation-level diplomatic relations on 19 August 1957. A Taiwanese legation was opened in Monrovia, which was upgraded to embassy status in February 1960 when relations were elevated to ambassadorial level.

In 1970 Liberia established an embassy in Taipei, with its ambassador to Japan concurrently accredited to Taiwan. Diplomatic relations were first severed on 23 February 1977 after Liberia recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC). During periods of diplomatic relations, Liberia supported Taiwan's participation in international organizations. Liberia voted in favor of the Republic of China retaining China's seat at the United Nations in 1971 during the vote on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI).[2]

On 6 July 1988 Taiwan established a commercial representative mission in Monrovia. On 2 October 1989 the Liberian government announced it would restore ambassadorial relations with Taiwan, and a joint communiqué reestablishing diplomatic ties was signed in Taipei on 9 October 1989. The representative mission was subsequently upgraded to an embassy.[3]

Following the 1997 election of Charles Taylor as president, Liberia stated it would continue relations with Taiwan. Liberia's government argued it had the sovereign right to maintain relations with both Taipei and Beijing. In response, the People's Republic of China suspended its relations with Liberia.[4]

Because of the ongoing instability, Liberia did not station a resident ambassador in Taipei until 1996. Taiwan temporarily relocated its embassy from Monrovia to Ivory Coast in 1990 due to security concerns, returning after the end of the civil war in 1997.[5]

On 28 March 2001, President Charles Taylor visited Taiwan.[6]

In the early 2000s, Liberia repeatedly spoke in favor of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations during General Assembly debates. Liberia also joined other Taiwanese diplomatic allies in proposals calling for reconsideration of Resolution 2758 and for recognition of Taiwan's international status and supported Taiwan's observer participation in the World Health Assembly and raised related proposals within the World Health Organization framework.[7]

Diplomatic relations were severed for a second time on 12 October 2003, when Liberia reestablished relations with the PRC.[8][9][10]

Economic relations

In 2023, Liberia exported US$1,960 to Taiwan and Taiwan exported US$1.91 million to Liberia. The main products that Liberia export to Taiwan consist of low-voltage protection equipment, knit sweaters and transmissions; whereas the main products that Taiwan export to Liberia are rubberworking machinery, air pumps and industrial printers. From 2018 to 2023, exports from Liberia to Taiwan have decreased at an annualized rate of 6.8%, decreasing from US$2,790 in 2018 to US$1,960 in 2023; whereas exports from Taiwan to Liberia have increased at an annualized rate of 7.08%, growing from US$1.36 million in 2018 to US$1.91 million in 2023.[11]

Incidents

In 2010 Taiwanese authorities arrested three Liberian nationals in connection with a fraud case involving counterfeit gold. The suspects allegedly used gold-plated copper bars to defraud a Taiwanese gold trader of approximately NT$4 million. Two suspects were intercepted while attempting to leave Taiwan, and most of the funds were recovered, although part of the money was believed to have been paid to intermediaries.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "長年內戰 台賴兩度建交再斷交". Public Television Service (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  2. ^ "Restoration of the lawful rights of People's Republic of China in the United Nations: draft resolution /: Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Gambia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Philippines. Swaziland, Thailand, United States of America and Uruguay". United Nations. 1971-09-29. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  3. ^ 陳柏亨 (2020-10-09). "【圖輯】照片看歷史／1989年我和賴比瑞亞復交 外交關係維持14年". United Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2001-03-29.
  4. ^ "台灣砸5億美金 鞏固賴比瑞亞邦交 《採訪紀事》新聞特派員說故事". China Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  5. ^ 楊進添 (2026-01-24). "內戰底下的外交官：楊進添回憶錄《永晝不息》選摘（1）". The Storm Media (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  6. ^ "賴比瑞亞總統昨晚抵台訪問". The Epoch Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2001-03-29. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  7. ^ Public Diplomacy Coordination Council (2002-05-16). "馬紹爾群島、聖克里斯多福、帛琉及賴比瑞亞、哥斯大黎加及日本等國繼續在世界衛生大會中為我案聲援" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  8. ^ Huang, Tai-lin (October 13, 2003). "Taiwan says goodbye to another ally". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  9. ^ 許湘欣 (2003-10-12). "中國威脅賴比瑞亞與台灣斷交". The Epoch Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  10. ^ 楊夢瑜 (2003-10-12). "利比里亞轉與大陸復交". BBC (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  11. ^ "Liberia's exports to Taiwan". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  12. ^ 吳岳修 (2010-07-05). "賴比瑞亞金光黨 唬倒台灣黃金大盤". Liberty Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2026-01-29.
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