Taiwan Cultural Office Unveils New Building in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO—On February 27, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco opened the doors to its new building, marking an important development in U.S.-Taiwan relations.

As a de facto embassy for Taiwan, TECO previously relied on leased spaces rather than having a dedicated facility.

At the inauguration ceremony, Alexander Tah-ray Yui, Taiwan’s representative to the United States, emphasized that “U.S.–Taiwan relations are rock solid,” adding that “Taiwan is an asset, not a liability” for the United States.

Establishing a Permanent Presence in San Francisco

The new office, situated on 4th Street near Folsom Street in downtown San Francisco, rises seven stories with a total area of about 56,000 square feet. Jenny Guo, the head of the office’s press division, noted during a press event that the Taiwanese government invested $74 million in this property, making it one of five TECO offices established in the United States.

Yui highlighted the historical importance of San Francisco’s Chinatown, the oldest in the nation, noting that Taiwan’s decision to establish a permanent office in the city showcases its dedication to supporting Taiwanese communities throughout California, Utah, and Nevada. He remarked that this acquisition symbolizes a commitment to a deeper, long-term investment in U.S.-Taiwan relations.

U.S. Commitment to Taiwan

Yui commended the U.S. government’s dedication to Taiwan’s security, referencing its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, longstanding policies that ensure U.S. support for Taiwan. He quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent assertions reaffirming Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s security and to maintaining regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Taiwan Relations Act, established by the U.S. Congress in 1979, outlines the significant but unofficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

The Six Assurances are six foreign policy principles that the United States articulated during the Reagan era regarding Taiwan relations.

A Trusted Partner, Not a Burden

Yui noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Taiwan’s initial transition to a democratic government. He asserted that the United States and Taiwan not only share fundamental democratic values but also function as key economic and technological collaborators.

“For the United States, Taiwan is not a burden,” Yui declared, underscoring that Taiwan is a reliable and valuable ally. He also emphasized Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself without solely depending on the United States.

“Taiwan is not Afghanistan,” he asserted.

Yui reiterated that Taiwan is committed to elevating its defense budget to at least 3 percent of its GDP to enhance its security.

Celebration and Political Endorsement

During the inauguration, Ming-Chi Scott Lai, director general of TECO in San Francisco, welcomed the guests and noted that the acquisition of the new office is among his most significant accomplishments in the past four years.

Ruan Jhao-syong, deputy minister of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council, journeyed from Taiwan to attend the ceremony. In his speech, he referred to the new building as “a bridge for U.S.–Taiwan exchanges” and expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue to grow through cooperative efforts from both governments and their citizens.

Among the distinguished local officials present was David Chiu, San Francisco’s city attorney and a Taiwanese-American political figure. Representing the city government, Chiu praised the Taiwanese-American community as a model of entrepreneurial success and expressed optimism for its future expansion.

Also present were San Francisco Supervisors Connie Chan and Joel Engardio, Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, Fremont City Councilmember Yang Shao, former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, and numerous Taiwanese-American community members from around the Bay Area.