TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan has again rejected South Africa’s request to move its representative office from the capital Pretoria to the commercial hub of Johannesburg.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Jeff Liu said at a press conference on Tuesday that the request to relocate or close the office is in complete violation of the 1997 agreement between the two countries on the location of mutual representative offices after formal diplomatic ties are severed. He said he is doing so.
“In the face of such unreasonable demands, our side cannot accept them,” Liu said.
South Africa has a liaison office in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, and the two countries have strong commercial ties. Mr. Liu on Monday reiterated Foreign Minister Lam Chia-lung’s public remarks in the legislature that Taiwan is “prepared for any eventuality” on this issue. Lin and Liu said the office is the property of Taiwan, and Taipei City reserves the right to determine its location and status.
China insists that Taiwan is its own territory and must annex it by force if necessary, and has persistently sought to minimize Taiwan‘s international representation in the autonomous island republic. maintains strong informal relations with the United States and other major powers.
South Africa confirmed last week that it had asked Taiwan to relocate its liaison office in a request seen as a pure concession to China, which has used its influence to distance Taiwan from relevant bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. . Official diplomatic partners are limited to 11 countries and the Vatican.
In addition to diplomatic and economic pressure, China has stepped up its military threats against Taiwan, recently conducting large-scale live-fire exercises just off the coast of Fujian province on China’s coast facing Taiwan.
South Africa’s request to relocate Taiwan’s offices has also received attention in the US Congress, with Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee writing on social platform X that “the United States should not tolerate this behavior by South Africa.” Posted.
story continues
“I’m calling on the Biden administration to make it clear that there will be consequences if South Africa collaborates (with the Chinese Communist Party) to bully Taiwan,” Blackburn said, adding that South Africa will be cut short from major trade programs. It also included the exclusion of South Africa.
“The United States must not extend trade benefits to countries that prioritize Chinese influence over democratic partnerships,” he added.
Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press
