Previously, San Francisco Teco operated from rental spaces rather than having its own building.
SAN FRANCISCO – The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco has launched a new building on February 27th, marking a milestone in relations between the US and Thailand.
Teco will serve as the de facto embassy of Taiwan. Previously, San Francisco Teco operated from rental spaces rather than having its own building.
At the opening ceremony, Taiwan’s US representative, Alexander Ta Lei Yui, said “The relationship between the United States and Thailand is solid,” and “Taiwan is an asset and not a responsibility.”
Permanent presence in San Francisco
The new office building on 4th Avenue near Folsom Street in downtown San Francisco is seven stories tall with a total floor area of approximately 56,000 square feet. Office news director Jenny Guo said at a press event the Taiwanese government invested $74 million in the property, making it one of five Teco office buildings that Taiwan purchased in the US.
Yui spoke about the historical significance of the oldest San Francisco Chinatown in the United States, saying that Taiwan’s decision to acquire a permanent city office reflects its commitment to serving Taiwanese communities in California, Utah and Nevada. He also said the purchase represents a deeper long-term investment in US-Taiwan’s relationship.
US Commitment
Yui praised the US government’s commitment to Taiwan’s security through Taiwan Relations Act and six guarantees, as well as six guarantees that guarantee US support to Taiwan. He cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent remarks. This reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining Taiwan’s security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Taiwan Relations Act, established by the US Congress in 1979, defined officially substantive but non-diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan.
Six guarantees are six foreign policy principles established by the United States during the Reagan era of Taiwan relations.
It’s not a burden, it’s a partner
Yui said this year marks the 25th anniversary of Taiwan’s first democratic transition of power. He said that the US and Taiwan not only share common democratic values, but also serve each other as important economic and technical partners.
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“Taiwan is not a burden for the US,” Yui said, adding that Taiwan is a reliable and valuable ally of the US.
He also mentioned Taiwan’s commitment to protecting itself, rather than relying on the US.
“Taiwan is not Afghanistan,” he said.
Yui said Taiwan is committed to increasing its defense budget to at least 3% of GDP to enhance security.
Celebration and political support
At the ceremony, San Francisco Teco Director Ming-chi Scott Lai welcomed attendees and described the purchase of a new office as one of his most important achievements in the past four years.
Luang Zhao Siyong, vice minister of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council, traveled from Taiwan to attend the event. In his speech, he called the new building “the bridge for the exchange of us and Taiwan” and expressed his confidence that the connections on both sides will continue to be strengthened through joint efforts by the governments and people of both countries.
Among the prominent local officials in attendance was David Chiu, a city lawyer for the San Francisco and Taiwanese-American political leader. On behalf of the city government, Qiu praised the Taiwanese-American community as a model of entrepreneurial success and expressed confidence in its continued growth.
It also featured San Francisco supervisors Connie Chang and Joel Engadio, Mayor Fremont Large Salwan, Councillor Yang Xiao, former Mayor Fremont Lily May, and hundreds of Taiwanese-American community members across the Bay Area.
US Taiwan representative Alexander Ta Lei Yui will speak to the media at the opening ceremony of the new TECO office building in San Francisco on February 27, 2025. Nathan Su/The Epoch Times
