South Africa has told Taiwan to shift its non-official embassy out of Pretoria the administrative capital. The country gave Taiwan a six-month time-frame to move its “liaison office“ to Johannesburg (the business center). This decision was shared with China in 09/2024 by Ronald Lamola‚ South Africas Foreign Minister‚ during the China-Africa summit
South Africa cut official diplomatic ties with Taiwan – a self-ruling island that China says is its territory – about 27 years ago. However like many countries it keeps an unofficial diplomatic link with Taiwan
The move happens during a time of high tension between China and Taiwan. Earlier this month Taiwan marked its governmentʼs founding and national day‚ again saying no to Chinas claims over it. After that China did big military drills near Taiwan
Mao Ning‚ a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry said: “we like South Africas right choice to move the Taipei liaison office in South Africa out of its administrative capital‚ Pretoria; Taiwan independence is not popular and will fail“
Lin Chia-long‚ Taiwans Foreign Minister‚ said his government might think about closing South Africas own liaison office in Taiwan. This could stop a big way for travel trade and learning between the countries
China and South Africa are both part of the BRICS group of growing economies which will have its yearly meeting in Kazan‚ Russia next week. China is by far South Africas biggest trade partner
Moving the Taiwan office out of Pretoria “will show the true non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the link between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan‚“ South Africas foreign ministry said. They also said the office will be called a “trade office“ now