Former American Consulate in Taipei

Former American Consulate in Taipei

The former American Consulate in Taipei in Taiwan is located in the Zhongshan District of Taipei City. The Consulate building began operations in 1925 and in 1926 a two story western style building was erected. The building is close to the overall style of the US South and Victorian. The building has a total area of 375 square feet (34.8 m2).

History

Overview

At the end of the 19th century, flourishing commerce in tea and camphor led many Western foreign countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Britain to establish consulates and trade offices in the Dadaocheng district of Taipei. The United States built its consulate at this location during the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945). Following World War II, it served as the US Ambassador's residence. Ambassadors Karl L. Rankin, Everett F. Drumright, Alan G. Kirk, Jerauld Wright, Walter P. McConaughy and Leonard S. Unger all made this building their home. It now stands as an historic witness to relations between Taipei and Washington, D.C.

Timeline

The Consulate seen during the period of Japanese occupation of Taiwan

In 1913, seeing that Taiwan's status was gradually more important, the American government upgraded their offices in Taiwan.

In 1941, when World War II broke out between Japan and the United States in the Pacific, forcing the American consulate in Taipei to close. When World War Two ended and beginning on April 4, 1946, the Americans were stationed at the consulate of the Republic of China in Taipei. In 1949 during the Chinese Civil War, specifically on December 30, the American consulate in Taipei was upgraded to a general consulate and handled American business in Taiwan at the present address in Taipei's Zhongshan District. The first appointee to be stationed as consul general at the consulate was Robert Strong.

In 1950, the Korean War broke out, the United States again started aiding the Republic of China, in addition to the new Republic of China accredited Ambassador (former Ambassador Stuart who was based in Nanjing went back to the US),

The US embassy in Taipei was closed on February 28, 1979.

On January 1, 1979, the United States severed diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and the building was abandoned.

On February 20, 1997, the buildings were listed as historic structures by the Republic of China government. In 2000, the Taipei City Government and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company under the Cultural and Educational Foundation began refurbishing the former consulate that was abandoned 20 years prior.

The building now houses a cinema (SPOT Taipei), as well as a cafe and gift shop.

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See also

Coordinates: 25°03′11″N 121°31′20″E / 25.05306°N 121.52222°E / 25.05306; 121.52222

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/9/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.