South Africa has downgraded its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, altering the designation of Taiwan’s representative office on its government website and indicating alignment with China’s One-China policy. This shift, which includes a relocation of the office, follows diplomatic tensions with the U.S. and demonstrates South Africa’s intention to strengthen ties with China, its largest trading partner.
South Africa has officially reduced its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, renaming its representative office from the “Taipei Liaison Office” to the “Taipei Commercial Office”. This change, noted by Taiwan’s foreign ministry, indicates a significant shift in South Africa’s stance likely influenced by increased pressure from China amid a diplomatic rift with the United States.
Furthermore, South Africa has set a deadline of March’s end for Taiwan to relocate its unofficial embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg. This move is part of a broader strategy to categorize Taiwan’s presence as a trade office rather than a diplomatic one, thereby adhering more closely to the One-China policy that Beijing promotes.
Taiwan has objected to these maneuvers, asserting that they reflect China’s growing suppression, and it lodged formal protests through its representative offices in Pretoria and Taipei. Taiwan’s foreign ministry has condemned the actions of South Africa as unreasonable and unjustifiable, emphasizing the increased pressure it faces from Beijing.
Historically, South Africa severed official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1997 but had allowed for a symbolic liaison office. Currently, Taiwan maintains formal ties with only 12 countries globally, with its only remaining ally in Africa being Eswatini, which is largely surrounded by South African territory. Over the years, nations such as Liberia and Chad have also severed their ties with Taiwan.
The South African foreign ministry stated that relocating the Taiwan office would reflect a non-political relationship between South Africa and Taiwan. In response, Taiwan’s foreign minister signaled potential reciprocal actions, including the closure of South Africa’s office in Taipei, which would adversely affect travel and trade exchanges.
With China being South Africa’s largest trading partner, the latter is keen on fostering relations, particularly in renewable energy sectors. Both nations are members of the BRICS bloc, enhancing their cooperative ventures. Recent statements from Chinese officials have expressed support for South Africa’s actions regarding Taiwan, emphasizing the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
In conclusion, South Africa’s diplomatic shift towards Taiwan reflects a broader geopolitical context influenced significantly by China’s authority and interests. By downgrading its ties with Taiwan, South Africa is aligning itself more closely with Beijing amid a challenging relationship with the United States. This move not only marks a pivotal change in South Africa’s foreign relations but also highlights the increasing pressures Taiwan faces in its international recognition.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
