The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has expressed its approval of South Africa’s decision to demand that Taiwan relocate its representative office out of Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital.
The request, first made verbally in December 2023 and reiterated in April 2024, escalated on October 7, 2024, when South Africa issued an ultimatum threatening to close the office if it was not relocated.
PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning welcomed South Africa’s stance, emphasizing that the one-China principle is a widely recognized international norm. “Taiwan independence is unpopular and will fail,” Mao stated, adding that the global community supports China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.
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Taiwan has rejected the demand, with officials in Taipei asserting that they will not relocate their office. Taiwanese authorities emphasized that the office is Taiwan’s property, and they retain the right to determine its location. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated that the office “is still in operation and will stay in the capital,” accusing South Africa of violating a 1997 agreement allowing Taiwan to maintain a presence in Pretoria, despite South Africa establishing formal ties with the PRC in 1996.
In response to the relocation demand, Taiwan hinted that it may request South Africa to move its own representative office out of Taipei. The situation echoes a similar incident in 2017, when Nigeria ordered Taiwan to move its office from the capital, a demand with which Taiwan ultimately complied.
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While South Africa’s ultimatum has raised tensions, it remains unclear if the country will follow through on its threat to close the Taiwanese office if Taipei refuses to move. Observers continue to watch for further developments as both sides stand firm on their positions.
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