Malta–Taiwan relations

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Malta–Taiwan relations

Malta
Taiwan

Malta–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between Malta (officially the Republic of Malta) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, ROC). Malta does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and adheres to the One China policy, but contacts occur primarily through humanitarian cooperation, academic exchanges, and relations between Taiwan and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), a Catholic sovereign entity based in Rome.[1]

History

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Malta maintained diplomatic ties with the Republic of China until the 1970s, when the Labour government of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff switched recognition to the People's Republic of China. Since then, Malta has consistently supported the One China policy and does not pursue official ties with Taiwan.[2]

Representative offices

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In the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Taiwan is represented in Malta by the Taipei Representative Office in Italy, which is concurrently accredited to Malta.[3] Malta does not have a representative office in Taiwan, but maintains contact through the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei.

Economic relations

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Trade between Taiwan and Malta continues despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. In 2023, Taiwan exported US$127 million to Malta, with the main products being Integrated Circuits, Electrical Power Accessories, and Packaged Medicaments. Over the past five years, exports from Taiwan to Malta have increased at an average annual rate of 32.3%, growing from US$31.4 million in 2018 to US$127 million in 2023. In 2023, Malta exported US$33.5 million to Taiwan, with the main products being Integrated Circuits, Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds, and Fish Fillets. Over the past five years, exports from Malta to Taiwan have increased at an average annual rate of 10.8%, growing from US$20.1 million in 2018 to US$33.5 million in 2023.[4]

Relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta

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Although Malta itself does not recognise Taiwan diplomatically, Taiwan maintains a growing relationship with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), an entity with sovereignty under international law and permanent observer status at the United Nations. The Order, founded in 1048 and headquartered in Rome, has more than 13,500 knights and 80,000 volunteers worldwide.[5]

According to Forbes, improving relations between Taiwan and the Order suggest the possibility—though not a guarantee—of future formal ties.[6] Order communications director Eugenio Ajroldi di Robbiate said: "Based on this collaboration, we are confident we can develop and deepen relations with the Republic of China."[7]

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs compared the relationship with the Order to its ties with the Holy See and highlighted cooperation in humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and medical relief.[8]

High-level exchanges have included a 2012 visit to Taiwan by Order of Malta grand chancellor Jean-Pierre Mazery, who expressed interest in opening an economic affairs office in Taiwan[9], and a 2015 visit by Grand Master Matthew Festing—the first such visit by a head of the Order.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "馬爾他共和國對台灣極為友善". The Epoch Times. 16 April 2002. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  2. ^ Sansone, Kurt (18 January 2024). "Malta following Taiwan developments, foreign minister says". Malta Today. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Europe Area". Bureau of Consular Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Chinese Taipei's exports to Malta". Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  5. ^ 李修慧 (15 March 2017). "領土不到1平方公里、可能成為台灣下一個邦交國的「馬爾他騎士團」到底在哪裡？". The News Lens. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  6. ^ Jennings, Ralph (13 March 2017). "New Diplomatic Ally? Isolated Taiwan Is Growing Closer To A Country In Europe". Forbes. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  7. ^ 何哲欣 (4 February 2024). "全世界最珍貴護照的發行國！馬爾他騎士團與台友好　曾傳與我建交". NOW News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  8. ^ Lu, Yi-hsuan; Hetherington, William. "Taiwan, Order of Malta may become allies: report". Taipei Times. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Jean-Pierre Mazery, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, visits the Republic of China (Taiwan)". orderofmalta.int. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  10. ^ "First visit of a Grand Master to the Republic of China (Taiwan)". orderofmalta.int. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2025.