South Africa has formally asked Taiwan to move its liaison office from Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital, to Johannesburg, in a move aimed at reflecting the “non-diplomatic” nature of their relationship. This development comes as South Africa seeks to emphasize its alignment with the “One China” policy, recognizing Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, which it views as part of its own territory.
On Friday, South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the request, giving Taiwan a six-month timeframe to relocate the “Taipei Liaison Office” to Johannesburg, the country’s commercial hub. The office, which functions as an unofficial embassy, will also be renamed as the “Taipei Trade Office” to better signify the trade-oriented and non-political nature of relations between the two nations.
The move underscores South Africa’s commitment to its economic and political ties with China, its largest trading partner. Both countries are members of the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The timing of the decision is particularly noteworthy, as the annual BRICS summit is set to take place next week in Kazan, Russia.
In a statement, South Africa’s Foreign Ministry explained, “Relocating what will be rebranded as Trade Offices both in Taipei and Johannesburg will be a true reflection of the non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan.” This decision, the ministry added, was communicated to Beijing last month, signaling the government’s intent to align its actions with China’s diplomatic policies.
South Africa formally severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997, following China’s admission into the World Trade Organization and the increasing global acceptance of the “One China” principle. However, South Africa, like many other countries, has maintained informal ties with Taiwan, primarily centered around trade and economic cooperation. The current request to relocate the Taipei office is seen as a further step in reinforcing the country’s longstanding commitment to China.
Taiwan, on the other hand, has expressed concern over the decision. In a statement, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry emphasized that it would consider a response that upholds its sovereignty. “If the South African government still insists on submitting to China and changing the status quo… the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will study and formulate all possible responses in order to safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of our country,” the ministry said. Taiwan, which governs itself democratically, is recognized by only a few countries around the world, with most nations, including South Africa, opting for informal relationships to avoid diplomatic conflicts with China.
The Taiwanese government also indicated that it would reflect on the implications of this move, particularly regarding its broader international relations. The rebranding and relocation of the liaison office could weaken Taiwan’s already limited diplomatic footprint on the continent, where China wields significant influence.
Meanwhile, Beijing welcomed South Africa’s decision. “We appreciate South Africa’s correct decision to relocate the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa out of Pretoria, the administrative capital,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. Beijing has long pressured countries to cut official ties with Taiwan, considering any acknowledgment of the island’s sovereignty as a challenge to China’s territorial integrity.
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