The Foreign Ministry (MOFA) announced Tuesday that the Sydney-based Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) is in the process of purchasing new property. The mission hopes to move locations by the end of 2027 following renovations.

No new buildings have been purchased for overseas Taiwan missions since 2023. MOFA says that government-owned property and staff residences make up nearly 17% and 27%, respectively, of Taiwan’s total overseas offices.

MOFA General Affairs Director General Chen Jin-ling (陳錦玲) said the Sydney office is in the process of signing a contract, after which the office will begin renovating and procuring proper equipment.

The government is also reviewing plans to purchase property for overseas offices in other countries, which would help to reduce costs by eliminating rental fees. 

As of 2024, MOFA owns 19 office buildings and 30 official residences for overseas missions, including the TECO offices in New York and Los Angeles in the United States, and the Jordan TECO. In addition to the purchase in Sydney, Chen said the ministry is currently reviewing purchasing new property in the U.S. cities of Boston, Houston, and Denver.