South Africa has requested Taiwan to relocate its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, aligning more closely with China’s diplomatic strategy.
At a Glance
- South Africa demands that Taiwan move its office from Pretoria to Johannesburg.
- The relocation emphasizes South Africa’s alignment with China and the BRICS partnership.
- South Africa’s actions highlight economic considerations over diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
- A six-month timeline has been provided for the relocation.
South Africa’s Diplomatic Shift
South Africa’s government has demanded Taiwan to relocate its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, following a directive communicated during the recent China-Africa summit. This decision underscores South Africa’s strategy to align more closely with China, its largest trading partner and a key ally in the BRICS economic bloc. The South African foreign ministry emphasized the non-diplomatic nature of relations with Taiwan by proposing to rebrand the office as a “trade office.”
The request follows significant diplomatic engagement between South Africa and China, including a BRICS summit attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Such a move resonates with China’s one-China policy, which Beijing insists should govern international relations. South Africa ended official diplomatic relationships with Taiwan in 1997, but has maintained unofficial interactions thereafter.
South Africa has told Taiwan to move its de facto embassy out of its administrative capital at the urging of China, according to a Foreign Ministry official in Taipei https://t.co/ksHuNr3h0G
— Bloomberg (@business) October 18, 2024
The Implications for Taiwan
The mandate that Taiwan relocates its office by the end of October, with indications of closure if non-compliant, reflects significant diplomatic pressure. This development coincides with rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, as China continues military exercises surrounding Taiwan. Taiwan, in response, has expressed intention to engage G7 nations and evaluate measures like relocating South Africa’s liaison office in Taipei and imposing tighter visa restrictions on South Africans.
“Will be a true reflection of the non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan,” per the South African foreign ministry.
This decision has drawn mixed reactions. While Beijing has commended South Africa for its firm adherence to the one-China policy, Taiwan views the move as a consequence of bilateral strain exacerbated by external pressures from China. Potential repercussions include disruptions to educational exchanges, notably affecting the roughly 5,000 South African English teachers currently in Taiwan.
Economic and Geopolitical Context
South Africa’s economic reliance on China is evident, with over US$10 billion in loans received since 2015. The country is showcasing a balancing act by repositioning its liaison with Taiwan to prioritize economic over traditional diplomatic objectives. Such shifts are in line with existing international patterns where countries often face the dilemma of navigating complex relationships involving China and Taiwan.
“We appreciate South Africa’s correct decision to relocate the Taipei liaison office in South Africa out of its administrative capital, Pretoria. Taiwan independence is unpopular and doomed to failure,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
With the growing emphasis on economic diplomacy, South Africa reaffirms its commitment to BRICS while ensuring policies reflect China’s strategic roadmap. This decision represents one of the many instances where global geopolitical currents dictate national foreign policy prioritizing economic allegiance over historical diplomatic ties.
