Myanmar–Taiwan relations

Taiwanese-Burmese relations
Map indicating locations of Taiwan and Myanmar

Taiwan
Myanmar
Diplomatic mission
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in ThailandMyanmar Trade Office, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Myanmar–Taiwan relations refers to the international relations between Myanmar and the Republic of China. There are no official relations between the two countries, as Myanmar only recognizes the People's Republic of China.[1]

History

In 1949, following the end of the Chinese Civil War, some Kuomintang soldiers fled and took a stronghold in Northern Thailand and Myanmar with support from the US. With support from the PRC, Myanmar accused the Republic of China of "invading" Myanmar, and issued an appeal to the United Nations. After many negotiations, all Kuomintang soldiers in Myanmar were sent to Northern Thailand. Kuomintang soldiers helped Thailand fight communist rebels, and prevented a left revolution in Thailand, which led to the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, giving Kuomintang soldiers special amnesty for entitlement in Thailand, whilst some left for Taiwan.[2]

On 8 June 1950, Myanmar recognized the People's Republic of China as the legitimate China.

Diplomatic representation

In the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Myanmar has a mission in Taipei known as the Myanmar Trade Office, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.[3] Operated by the country's Ministry of Commerce, this was established in June 2015.[4] Taiwan currently has no mission in Naypyidaw, with Myanmar affairs being handled by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Bangkok, Thailand.[5] However, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council established a trade mission in Yangon in November 2013.[4]

Economic

Taiwanese smartphone company HTC's advertisement in Yangon
China Airlines's Boeing 737-800 aircraft in Yangon International Airport

Agriculture

Taiwan-based Known-You Seed Corporation established in 1968, moved into the Myanmar market in 1994. In 1996, it began to cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation of Myanmar, which founded an agricultural school in Irrawaddy. The most frequently imported product is watermelon.[6]

Transportation

China Airlines offers flights from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Yangon International Airport.[7]

References

  1. ^ "中华人民共和国与各国建立外交关系日期简表". www.gov.cn. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. ^ Yi-Huei, Tan: The Tragic History of KMT Troops in the Golden Triangle 1950–1981, Taipei 2009, Lien-Jin Publishing House (Chinese: 覃怡輝：《金三角國軍血淚史 1950-1981，臺北：聯經出版).
  3. ^ Myanmar Trade Office, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
  4. ^ a b Myanmar opens trade office in Taiwan in bid to boost ties, The China Post, June 25, 2015
  5. ^ Asia Pacific Area, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
  6. ^ 聯合新聞網 (12 August 2015). "聯合新聞網：觸動未來 新識力". 聯合新聞網. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Timetable of China Airlines" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-05-24. Retrieved 2015-04-09.