South Africa has requested Taiwan to relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital, to Johannesburg, its commercial hub, within six months.
The move is widely seen as a reflection of China’s growing influence among developing nations. While Taiwan criticized South Africa for yielding to pressure from Beijing, China welcomed the decision.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, praised the relocation, stating, “The One China principle is the political foundation for China’s diplomatic relations with other countries. We appreciate South Africa’s correct decision to move the Taipei liaison office. Taiwan independence is unpopular and bound to fail.”
China established its embassy in South Africa in 1998, following Pretoria’s severance of formal ties with Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. Despite this, South Africa has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan, similar to other nations.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan, with Taiwan recently celebrating its national day and rejecting China’s sovereignty claims. Shortly after, China conducted military drills around Taiwan.
China remains South Africa’s largest trading partner and a key ally in the BRICS economic bloc, which will hold its upcoming summit in Russia next week.
