Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested the unilateral renaming of its representative office by South Africa, which now lists it as the “Taipei Commercial Office.” This change has sparked tensions, with Taiwan asserting that any adjustments should adhere to prior agreements established in 1998. The South African government has set a deadline for Taiwan to comply with the name change and relocation.
On March 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan expressed its discontent over the recent unilateral name change of Taiwan’s representative office on the South African government website. The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) updated the title from “Taipei Liaison Office” to “Taipei Commercial Office,” marking a significant shift amidst ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan’s representation in South Africa.
MOFA contends that South Africa’s actions aim to diminish the status of Taiwan’s representative office, stipulating it as a “trade office” situated in Johannesburg rather than in the administrative capital, Pretoria, as previously established. The deadline imposed by South Africa for the rebranding and relocation is set for the end of March.
In a statement issued by DIRCO, it emphasized that relocating newly dubbed Trade Offices to Taipei and Johannesburg would reflect the nonpolitical nature of South Africa-Taiwan relations. However, MOFA asserts that its operation as a liaison office in Pretoria is sanctioned by a prior agreement following the cessation of diplomatic relations in 1998, which does not permit any unilateral changes.
MOFA has taken formal steps to protest this name alteration, communicating through Taiwan’s office in Pretoria and directly engaging with the South African representative office in Taipei. Furthermore, MOFA has described DIRCO’s reference to U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China as China’s representative at the U.N., as “unreasonable and unacceptable.”
In summary, Taiwan has officially protested the alteration of its representative office’s name on a South African government website, claiming it undermines the established diplomatic agreement from 1998. The MOFA argues that changes in the office’s status must follow mutual negotiations and condemns South Africa’s unilateral decision as an infringement on their agreed terms. The situation reflects ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan’s international representation amidst political complexities.
Original Source: focustaiwan.tw
