The South African government has set a deadline for Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Pretoria to relocate by the end of March, according to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry. The move follows increasing pressure from China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, and has led to South Africa cutting official diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of closer relations with China.
South Africa severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997, and since then, it has only maintained formal relations with China, which strongly adheres to the “One China” policy, asserting that Taiwan is not an independent entity. South Africa’s request, communicated through a letter sent to Taiwan in January, orders the closure of Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Pretoria and demands that it be rebranded as a “trade office.”
China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for South Africa, calling it a “good friend and partner,” and emphasized that Taiwan’s push for independence lacks broad support and will ultimately fail. The Chinese stance on Taiwan remains steadfast, and Beijing has been pressuring nations worldwide to align with its position, especially in Africa where Taiwan’s diplomatic presence is increasingly dwindling.
A spokesperson for South Africa’s foreign ministry confirmed the request, stating that it is working with the Taipei Liaison Office on the administrative changes, including ensuring its reclassification in line with South Africa’s diplomatic policies.
South Africa’s ties with China are increasingly significant, as China is the country’s largest trading partner and plays a central role in sectors like renewable energy. Taiwan, on the other hand, maintains formal diplomatic relations with only a few countries globally, and in Africa, it is left with just one ally, Eswatini, which is nearly surrounded by South Africa.
The situation underscores the broader geopolitical struggle over Taiwan’s international recognition, with Beijing continuing to leverage economic and political pressure on countries to limit or sever their official ties with Taiwan.
