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The 1997 agreement between Taiwan and South Africa stipulates that both parties can set up offices in each other’s country. He termed South Africa’s demand as unreasonable
Taiwan has turned down South Africa’s request to relocate its representative office from Pretoria, the capital, to Johannesburg, the commercial hub.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu stated that the request to relocate or close the office breached a 1997 agreement between the two Nations. The 1997 agreement between Taiwan and South Africa stipulates that both parties can set up offices in each other’s country. He termed South Africa’s demand as unreasonable. He further stated that South Africa’s decision is an ongoing effort of China to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.
Liu reiterated Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s statement at the legislature on Monday that Taiwan “is ready for any situation” regarding the demand. Both Lin and Liu emphasized that the office is Taiwanese property, and Taipei has the authority to decide its location and status.
Fan Chen-Kuo, director of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, stated that the South African government’s request is both unreasonable and illegal. He emphasized that this perspective is shared not only by them but also by other democratic nations.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/south-africa-asks-taiwan-to-move-de-facto-embassy-to-johannesburg/
South Africa has a liaison office in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, reflecting a robust commercial relationship between the two. These offices operate as unofficial embassies and consulates due to the absence of formal diplomatic relations, which were severed when South Africa opted to recognize China instead of Taiwan. Taiwan operates missions in all major countries, but it has only five in Africa, where China’s influence is growing through infrastructure projects like roads and railways.
