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Syria–Taiwan relations

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

Syria
Taiwan

Syria–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between Syria and Taiwan. The two states currently do not have official diplomatic relations and do not have diplomatic missions at each other's capitals, as Syria considers Taiwan to be a part of the People's Republic of China. Taiwan handles Syrian affairs through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan.[1]

History

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Voting record of the UN during Resolution 2758 in 1971, which removed the membership of the Republic of China in exchange for the admission of the People's Republic of China. Syria voted in favor of this resolution.

In 1949, following the ROC retreat to Taiwan, Syria and Taiwan had few relations due to geopolitical factors in the Cold War.

On 25 October 1971, the UN General Assembly voted on Resolution 2758 to decide on Taiwan's status in the UN. This resolution sought to replace the membership of Republic of China with People's Republic of China, and was proposed by 23 countries, including Syria. This resolution eventually passed and the ROC has not been a part of the UN since.[2]

On 14 April 2018, the US, UK, and France conducted joint strikes against the Syrian government during the Syrian civil war following the Douma chemical attack. In response, the Taiwanese foreign ministry condemned the use of chemical weapons by any government against civilians, and supported International sanctions against Syria to address this issue.[3]

In November 2025, while visiting China, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani that the Syrian transitional government continued to adhere to one China, recognizing the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing China, including Taiwan.[4]

Trade relations

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Prior to the Syrian civil war, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) invited members of various industries to participate in an exhibition in Syria with the goal of expanding economic cooperation between Taiwan and Syria.[5][6][7][8][9] However, this has mostly subsided as a result of the civil war.

Recent bilateral trade volume (in USD)[10]
Year Trade volume Taiwan→Syria Syria→Taiwan
Amount Annual change Ranking Amount Annual change Ranking Amount Annual change Ranking
2017 33,202,376 Increase31.7% 115 32,562,553 Increase30.7% 95 639,823 Increase106.3% 164
2018 41,857,241 Increase26.1% 105 41,674,974 Increase28.0% 92 182,267 Decrease71.5% 185
2019 43,271,686 Increase3.4% 106 43,089,657 Increase3.4% 88 182,029 Decrease0.1% 183
2020 24,116,172 Decrease44.3% 120 23,943,071 Decrease44.4% 103 173,101 Decrease4.9% 177
2021 10,483,320 Decrease56.5% 147 10,374,098 Decrease56.7% 124 109,222 Decrease36.9% 188
2022 4,858,454 Decrease53.7% 168 4,776,801 Decrease54.0% 151 81,653 Decrease25.2% 187
2023 6,043,801 Increase24.4% 158 5,887,018 Increase23.2% 137 156,783 Increase92.0% 176
2024 4,971,020 Decrease17.8% 166 4,855,595 Decrease17.5% 144 115,425 Decrease26.4% 177

In 2023, the main trade products are as follows:

Taiwan → Syria: Cellulose and other chemical derivatives, rice, plastic and other final goods, polymers of styrene, synthetic fiber yarns and woven fabrics, tin bars, rods, profiles and wires, vehicle parts and accessories, new rubber tires, rubber or plastic processing machines or machinery for manufacturing products from such raw materials, hand tools, various pruning shears, sickles, and hay knives.[11]

Syria → Taiwan: Soap, organic surfactants and their preparations, live animals, fresh wine and grape must, printing presses, printers, copiers and fax machines, cosmetic and skincare products, parts and accessories for motor vehicles, and small import declarations and other miscellaneous items not exceeding NT$50,000.[11]

Investments

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According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwanese businesses do not have records of investment in Syria as of June 2023. Syrian investment in Taiwan includes 19 items and is valued at $1.31 million USD.[12]

Humanitarian aid

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In 2016, the Taiwanese foreign ministry donated funds towards the establishment of the charity Taiwan - Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens [zh]. After the construction of a refugee center in 2020, the service is mostly towards the refugees of the Syrian civil war and local Turkish residents, and includes services in education, female entrepreneurship, and other social welfare programs.[13]

On 6 February 2023, in response to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the Taiwanese government donated $5 million USD through Mercy Corps to assist Syrians affected by the earthquakes.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "駐館位置及聯絡方式". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
  2. ^ "把中国抬进联合国的，到底是不是非洲兄弟？". Phoenix Television. 13 September 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019.
  3. ^ 劉麗榮 (14 April 2018). "美英法空襲敘利亞 外交部：支持國際制裁". Central News Agency (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 6 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Syria and China pledge to strengthen historic ties, fight terrorism". Syrian Arab News Agency. 2025-11-17. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  5. ^ 王傳強 (26 June 2009). "歡迎報名「2009年五金建材業赴中東拓銷團」（沙烏地阿拉伯、約旦、敘利亞）". 經貿透視網. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
  6. ^ 王傳強 黃榮俊 (13 October 2009). "2009年五金建材業赴中東拓銷團首站抵敘利亞，爭取商機逾800萬美元". 經貿透視網. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
  7. ^ 陳誕華 (17 May 2010). "敘利亞投入500億美元改善公共建設，貿協組團參展以搶攻敘國建材商機". 經貿透視網. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
  8. ^ 李東森 (28 October 2010). "歡迎參加2011敘利亞國際工業博覽會（中華民國中東經貿協會主辦）". 經貿透視網. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
  9. ^ 莫斯科台貿中心 (12 January 2011). "為台敘展覽業 搭起交流橋樑". 經貿透視雙周刊第309期. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015.
  10. ^ "中華民國進出口貿易統計". International Trade Administration (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 20 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b "近二年我國對當地出口主要產品". 中華民國對外貿易發展協會. Archived from the original on 26 May 2025.
  12. ^ 雙一組南亞及中東專案室 (17 June 2023). "敘利亞(Syria) 經貿檔" (PDF). 經濟部國際貿易署. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2025.
  13. ^ 呂嘉鴻 (9 February 2023). "土耳其大地震：邊城雷伊漢勒的台灣援助者寄望災後「不要發生彼此排擠」". BBC News Chinese. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023.
  14. ^ 楊士範 (18 February 2023). "土耳其大地震善款破9億、捐400噸物資，外交部公布第一波6億善款去向". The News Lens. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023.
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