Beijing applauds South Africa’s tough stance on Taiwan’s de facto embassy

As Taipei opens representative office in Mumbai, mainland China’s foreign ministry urges India to handle Taiwan issues with caution

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South Africa urges Taiwan to relocate its representative office - a de facto embassy - to Johannesburg, pictured, from its administrative capital, Pretoria. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:22pm, 18 Oct 2024Updated: 7:39pm, 18 Oct 2024

Mainland China “appreciated” South Africa’s efforts to push Taiwan to move its de facto embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, Beijing said on Friday, a day after criticising India for allowing the island to open an office in Mumbai.

South Africa demanded that Taiwan relocate its office from Pretoria to Johannesburg by the end of this month, allegedly because of pressure from Beijing, Taiwan’s Central News Agency said on Thursday, citing an unnamed foreign ministry official in Taipei.

South Africa made it clear the relocation was not up for negotiation and the office would be closed if Taiwan did not comply, according to CNA.

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“We commend South Africa for its correct decision to relocate the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa out of the administrative capital, Pretoria,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Friday.

“The one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with countries around the world.”

Bloomberg reported on Friday that South Africa started asking Taiwan to make the switch in December after it hosted an annual Brics summit in Johannesburg in August last year, according to an unnamed Taipei official. The summit was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force, if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise self-governed Taiwan as independent, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.