Taiwan has been given until March to relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria, as requested by South Africa due to Chinese pressure. South Africa cut ties with Taiwan in 1997, favoring relations with China. The situation illustrates Taiwan’s ongoing diplomatic challenges and China’s influence on global affairs.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry announced that South Africa has requested the relocation of Taiwan’s de facto embassy from Pretoria by the end of March. This demand is attributed to increasing pressure from China, which maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory, discouraging any formal diplomatic recognition of the island by other nations. South Africa cut its official diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 and now only recognizes China predominantly.
In a letter received in January, South Africa insisted that the Taiwanese diplomatic office be reclassified as a trade office and vacate Pretoria by March. Taiwan’s government views this move as evidence of China’s intensifying suppression efforts within South Africa, yet negotiations between the two sides are reportedly still ongoing. The South African embassy in Taipei, as well as China’s Foreign Ministry, have not publicly commented on this issue.
South Africa’s previous request last year also sought the removal of Taiwan’s Taipei Liaison Office, highlighting a sustained trend influenced by China, which is South Africa’s foremost trading partner. Taiwan, on the other hand, continues to assert its sovereignty and right to establish relations with other countries, despite possessing only 12 formal diplomatic ties worldwide and a sole African ally left, Eswatini, encircled by South Africa.
The issue of Taiwan’s diplomatic status is heavily influenced by its relationship with China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and pressures other nations to not recognize Taiwanese statehood. This situation is further complicated by South Africa’s economic ties to China, as they are keen to expand cooperation in sectors like renewable energy. Given that Taiwan has few formal allies globally and almost none in Africa besides Eswatini, it faces significant diplomatic challenges.
In summary, Taiwan has been requested by South Africa to move its de facto embassy from Pretoria due to increasing Chinese influence, which asserts claims over Taiwanese sovereignty. While negotiations are ongoing, Taiwan maintains its right to build international relationships despite dwindling formal diplomatic ties. The geopolitical strains underscore the complexities of international diplomacy involving Taiwan and China, particularly in Africa.
Original Source: www.asahi.com
