The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO‑LA) is the de facto consular mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United States, covering the state of California and the U.S. Pacific territories. Established in 1979 following the United States’ diplomatic recognition of the People’s Republic of China, TECO‑LA functions as a representative office in lieu of an official embassy or consulate, handling matters such as visa issuance, business and trade promotion, cultural exchange, and assistance to Taiwanese nationals residing in or traveling to its jurisdiction.
The office is located in the Westlake district of Los Angeles, at 3601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 820, and is headed by a Director (often referred to as the Representative), who is appointed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. TECO‑LA also coordinates with local authorities, non‑governmental organizations, and the Taiwanese-American community to foster economic, educational, and cultural ties between Taiwan and the western United States.
As part of a network of Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices worldwide, TECO‑LA operates under the framework of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which governs unofficial U.S.–Taiwan relations and permits the establishment of such offices to carry out consular and diplomatic functions without formal diplomatic status.
