Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially protested South Africa’s unilateral change of Taiwan’s representative office name to “Taipei Commercial Office”, which they argue downgrades their diplomatic presence. The South African government demands a relocation and renaming by March, which Taiwan disputes on the grounds of a prior agreement. The situation is exacerbated by claims related to U.N. Resolution 2758.
On March 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan officially protested the South African government’s change of Taiwan’s representative office name on its DIRCO website from “Taipei Liaison Office” to “Taipei Commercial Office.” This alteration is part of a broader conflict regarding Taiwan’s representation that has seen its officials expelled from Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.
MOFA claims this change is part of South Africa’s strategy to downgrading Taiwan’s representative office. The South African government has demanded that Taiwan rename and relocate its office to Johannesburg’s commercial hub by the end of March. DIRCO representatives argued that this renaming reflects standard diplomatic practices and the nature of their relationship.
MOFA maintains that per a 1998 agreement, Taiwan retains the right to operate a liaison office in Pretoria, and any modifications to its location or name should only occur following mutual agreements. Taiwan has lodged formal protests concerning this matter through its diplomatic channels in South Africa and directly with the South African representative office in Taipei.
In response to the action taken by DIRCO, MOFA considers their justification—relying on U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758—as “unreasonable and unacceptable”. This resolution, adopted in 1971, led to the People’s Republic of China replacing the Republic of China as the United Nations representative for China.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the South African government’s unilateral decision to change the name of its representative office, viewing it as a step to downgrade their diplomatic presence. Taiwan insists that any modifications to their office, including relocation, must be agreed upon through negotiations, adhering to previously established agreements. The situation remains contentious, with ongoing protests from Taiwan against the enforcement of the name change and the claims related to U.N. resolutions.
Original Source: focustaiwan.tw
