Taiwan’s de facto embassy in South Africa has been requested to relocate from Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital.
Taipei has been allowed six months to move its liaison office to Johannesburg’s business district.
The choice is thought to demonstrate Beijing’s growing influence over underdeveloped countries.
Beijing has applauded the move, despite Taipei’s accusations that Pretoria gave in to Chinese pressure.
China’s diplomatic relations with other nations are built on the political tenet of the One China policy. Additionally, it is a generally accepted standard in international affairs, according to Mao Ning, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry.
“We commend South Africa for making the wise choice to move the Taipei liaison office from its administrative center, Pretoria. She declared, “Taiwanese independence is unpopular and bound to fail.”
In 1998, a year after Pretoria cut official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which Beijing claims sovereignty over, China established an embassy in South Africa.
Nonetheless, South Africa has continued to maintain an unofficial diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, as have many other nations.
There is currently more friction between Beijing and Taipei as a result of this most recent action.
Taiwan has always rejected China’s claims of sovereignty and celebrated its national day last week.
A few days later, China conducted its most recent round of military exercises near Taiwan.
China is the world’s biggest trading partner for South Africa, and both countries want to increase their collaboration.
The annual summit of the BRICS group of developing economies, which includes both of these nations, will take place in Russia the following week.
(Africanews)
