The Taiwanese government is opening a Cultural and Economic Office in Phoenix on Tuesday.
The office comes as Taiwan has become Arizona’s fastest growing trade partner.
The Taiwanese government says the office will help facilitate business partnerships between Taiwan and Arizona.
It will also provide consular services for Taiwanese nationals in Arizona, like helping with passports or driver’s licenses.
The office has angered the Chinese government, which has sent multiple messages to Gov. Katie Hobbs’s office asking her to protest its opening.
But at an opening ceremony Monday night, Hobbs said Arizona leaders should be courageous in continuing exchanges with Taiwan.
“China is threatened by people showing support to Taiwan, and we’ve received some of those attacks as well, and I’m not going to back down in supporting the important relationship we have with Taiwan,” Hobbs said.
It will be the 14th Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office in the United States.
