New Taipei British office designed by Lord Rogers opens

British Trade and Cultural Office (BTCO) Director Michael Reilly stressed again yesterday the importance of cooperation between the UK and Taiwan in fighting climate change, showing European countries' great interest in, and expectations of, Taiwan.

Addressing opening ceremony of the new BTCO office in Taipei's Xinyi District (信義), Reilly specifically stressed that in addition to traditional trade and cultural exchanges, "we are working together to tackle climate change, combat the spread of infectious diseases and in many other areas."

"The offices are a signal of our recognition of Taiwan's increasing importance, not just bilaterally, but on issues of global concern," he said. "While we may no longer have formal relations, the extent of our cooperation and links is greater now than at any time in history."

"Two-way trade thrives. Large numbers of young Taiwanese study at British universities. Taiwanese companies are major employers in the UK. British companies are active here in almost every sector, from petrochemicals through semiconductors and financial services to consumer retailing," he said.

British Lord Richard Rogers, who achieved fame for his prize-winning Pompidou Center in Paris in the 1970s, designed the BTCO's new offices and attended the opening to unveil a commemorative plaque.

Former Taiwanese representative to the UK, Edgar Lin (林俊義), attended the event on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳).