What's happened
South Africa has demanded Taiwan relocate its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg by the end of October, amid increasing pressure from China. This move follows South Africa's reaffirmation of the One China principle, which denies Taiwan's sovereignty, and has raised concerns about the implications for Taiwan's international representation.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu stated that the demand to relocate the office violates a 1997 agreement, emphasizing that Taiwan retains the right to determine its office's location. Liu's comments reflect Taiwan's commitment to maintaining its international presence despite pressures from China. Meanwhile, South Africa's foreign ministry has framed the relocation as a necessary step to align with the One China principle, which has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers like Senator Marsha Blackburn, who warned of potential consequences for South Africa's trade relations with the U.S. (The Independent). The South China Morning Post noted that South Africa's decision is seen as a concession to Beijing, which has been actively working to limit Taiwan's international representation. This diplomatic shift raises questions about South Africa's future foreign policy direction and its implications for Taiwan's global standing.
How we got here
South Africa severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1998, recognizing the One China principle. Despite this, both nations maintained liaison offices. Recent diplomatic pressures from China have led South Africa to demand the relocation of Taiwan's office, signaling a shift in its foreign policy.
More on these topics
-
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
-
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs.
-
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.