Taiwan has requested further negotiations with South Africa on relocating its representative office, following an order from the South African government. As the March deadline approaches, Taiwan is eager to discuss relocation logistics and has stressed the importance of adhering to international norms. The situation could lead to serious consequences for Taiwan-South Africa relations if forced to move.
Taiwan has formally requested negotiations regarding the relocation of its representative office in South Africa. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei announced this during a press conference, stating that Taiwan is awaiting South Africa’s response. The South African government originally ordered the relocation in October, followed by a Jan 2025 request for Taiwan to vacate the capital by the end of March.
With the approaching deadline, Taiwan is pushing for discussions about the new office location, personnel arrangements, and signing of agreements. Recently, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation updated its website to refer to the “Taipei Liaison Office” as the “Taipei Commercial Office.”
Hsiao emphasized that South Africa, hosting the G20 Summit this year, should uphold international norms, particularly the 1997 agreement with Taiwan. If Taiwan is compelled to relocate, there may be significant repercussions, including the suspension of cooperation and limits on training for South Africans, along with potential economic retaliatory measures.
The Ministry underscored its commitment to reject South Africa’s unilateral actions that violate their bilateral agreement and pledged to continue engaging in dialogue with South Africa, emphasizing principles of equality and respect.
Taiwan’s recent request for dialogue regarding the relocation of its South African representative office highlights ongoing tensions. As South Africa approaches its relocation deadline, Taiwan seeks a negotiation to discuss critical aspects such as location and personnel arrangements. The situation underscores Taiwan’s steadfastness in addressing perceived violations of international agreements, which could impact future cooperation significantly.
Original Source: www.taiwannews.com.tw
