Taiwan claims Pretoria’s demand that Taipei remove its “unofficial embassy” is due to coercion from Beijing
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has emphasised that the decision to ask Taiwan’s Taipei Liaison Office, currently located in Pretoria, to relocate to Johannesburg or any other location of their choice — outside South Africa’s political capital — is in keeping with the One-China Policy.
“The vast majority of countries follow this policy, including the United States,” Lamola said in a parliamentary response.
South Africa’s senior diplomat was responding to a question posed by Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFFs] Member of Parliament Nqobile Mhlongo.
The EFF parliamentarian had asked Lamola: “Considering that the government has set the end of March 2025 as the new deadline for Taiwan’s diplomatic offices in Tshwane to relocate to another region or province, what steps has he taken to expedite the already protracted process, and by what exact date will the Taiwanese diplomatic offices relocate?”
In his response, Lamola emphasised that South Africa embraces the One-China Policy, which recognises Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China run from the capital Beijing.
He highlighted that only 12 countries across the world recognise Taiwan as being separate from mainland China. These are Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy See, the Marshall Islands, Paraguay, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu.
”Those countries that maintain relations with Taiwan without recognising it as a separate entity from the People’s Republic of China do so on the basis that the relationship is trade-related and not political. In our context, these trade relations are an important consideration,” said Lamola.
“Honourable Mhlongo’s framing of the question, which refers to the ‘Taiwanese diplomatic offices’, indicates why the move from the country’s political and diplomatic capital is necessary.”
Lamola said since the decision for the Taipei Liaison Office to move was made, Taiwanese authorities have postponed the move for various reasons, including budgetary concerns, and the discussions are ongoing.
”In the interim, we are making administrative adjustments to accurately reflect the status of Taiwanese representation,” he said.
Lamola highlighted that South Africa is “engaging constructively” with Beijing regarding the One-China Policy.
“I would like to emphasize that we are engaging constructively with the People’s Republic of China regarding matters related to South Africa’s One-China Policy. It is important to clarify that the People’s Republic of China is not exerting undue pressure on us; rather, our interactions are marked by mutual respect,” he said.
”We hope that all stakeholders interested in South Africa’s decision will embrace this spirit of constructive diplomatic engagement.”
Last year, IOL reported that Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of China in South Africa, Li Zhigang reiterated that the Taiwan question bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is “a non-negotiable principle” embedded at the heart of China’s core interests.
At the time, the topic of Taiwan had been thrust into international news headlines ahead of the auguration of Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te. All African nations, except for Eswatini, ascribe to the one-China policy.
A symposium was held in Pretoria by the Chinese embassy in South Africa, which was attended by ANC representatives, government officials, members of the academia, activists and media representatives.
On behalf of the Chinese government, Li said China will not compromise on the question of Taiwan.
”There is no room for compromise or concession. Seeking foreign support to gain independence is a dead-end. The scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. Peaceful cross-Strait reunification under the one-China principle will bring huge opportunities for the economic and social development in the Taiwan region and tangible benefits to our compatriots there,” said Li.
He said the unification of China serves the interests of not only the Chinese nation and people, but also the international community and all people around the world.
Li said with a similar destiny in the past, South Africa “deeply understands and firmly supports Chinese people’s just cause of opposing the separatist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’ to achieve national reunification in China”.
