Taiwan has strongly objected to South Africa’s decision to rename the “Taipei Liaison Office” to the “Taipei Commercial Office” and the demand to relocate the office from Pretoria by the end of March.
According to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, the name change was reflected on the official website of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), even as negotiations between the two sides were still ongoing.
South Africa had initially set an October deadline for Taiwan to relocate the office, threatening to shut it down if Taipei failed to comply. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has directed the office in Pretoria to continue discussions with South African authorities to reach a mutual agreement.
The ministry emphasized that the office was established under a 1997 agreement between the two sides and called on South Africa to expedite talks regarding the location, timeline, and terms of future cooperation.
South Africa justified its actions by citing the “one-China policy” and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China. Meanwhile, Beijing reiterated its stance, urging UN member states to adhere to the one-China principle and reject Taiwan’s independence claims.
In a separate development, China’s Ministry of State Security accused members of Taiwan’s Defense Ministry of conducting cyberattacks against the Chinese mainland and spreading false information.
Taiwan, which has been self-governing since 1949, continues to assert its independence despite Beijing’s claims over the island.