South Africa has once again demanded that Taiwan relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria, setting an end-of-March deadline for the move. According to the Taiwanese foreign ministry, the embassy will be rebranded as a “trade office” as part of the transition. The ministry attributes the demand to growing Chinese pressure, noting that Beijing’s influence over South Africa is intensifying. China, which opened its embassy in South Africa in 1998 after Pretoria cut formal ties with Taiwan, asserts sovereignty over the island, a claim that Taiwan vehemently rejects. The move underscores Beijing’s growing sway among developing nations, as South Africa, a key member of the BRICS bloc, continues strengthening its partnership with China, its largest global trading partner. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations between Taipei and Pretoria aim to manage the relocation while maintaining robust economic ties.
Source: africanews
