Taiwan Stands Firm After South African Govt's Office Decision

The Taiwanese government has rejected South Africa's demand that it move its representative office from Pretoria to Johannesburg. The government had instructed Taiwan to move by the end of October after China pressured South Africa to do so.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung urged South Africa to uphold an agreement signed in 1997,  the year Pretoria severed relations with Taipei, that Taiwan would maintain its liaison office in Pretoria. Lin said that South Africa had likewise been allowed to maintain a presence in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

South Africa's decision to further downgrade relations with Taiwan, comes as the African National Congress strives to reassure longtime ally Beijing after the formation of a coalition government, analysts tell VOA.

InFocus

The Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria, South Africa‎ (file photo)

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.