By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Taiwan says it is ready to close down its embassy in Pretoria before the end of March, following an ultimatum by South African authorities.
Chinese influence is responsible for the relocation order issued to the island nation, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has alleged.
China has repeatedly claimed that Taiwan is part of its territory and the Chinese nation, rather than an independent country.
South Africa severed official diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 and has since maintained formal and very close relations solely with China.
In a statement on Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said South Africa’s government had sent a letter last month demanding that the de facto Taiwanese embassy leave Pretoria before the end of March and “even be renamed as a trade office”.
The demand “shows China’s suppression against us in South Africa is becoming more serious”, the embassy added, but noted that negotiations between Taiwan and South Africa were ongoing.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the ultimatum, saying South Africa was a “good friend and partner” of China and was doing exactly what it should in upholding the “one China principle”—a principle stating that Taiwan is part of China.
“Taiwan independence does not enjoy popular support and will fail,” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.
South Africa made a request last year for what is called the Taipei Liaison Office to leave Pretoria.
“Our department is coordinating with the Taipei Liaison Office regarding administrative matters related to accurately representing its diplomatic classification in South Africa,” a spokesperson for South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said.
China is South Africa’s largest trading partner globally and one with which it is looking to expand cooperation in areas such as renewable energy.
Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims and asserts its right to forge ties with other countries.
