SA ASKS TAIWAN TO CLOSE EMBASSY IN PRETORIA

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has said that the government has asked Taiwan to move its unofficial embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg.

Lamola said only official embassies are allowed to have premises in South Africa’s administrative capital and that’s why it has asked Taiwan to move its “liaison office” to Johannesburg.

The timeframe given for the move is six months.

The relationship between China and Taiwan has been strained for years, but the last few months saw tensions heightened as Taiwan celebrated the founding of its government and its national day this month.

Taiwan used to be part of China before it claimed independence.

Many believe the move is part of South Africa’s aim to show its allegiance to China as the announcement happened soon after South African delegates visited China for the China-Africa summit in September.

AP News reports that Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson May Ning said “We appreciate South Africa’s correct decision to relocate the Taipei liaison office in South Africa out of its administrative capital, Pretoria. Taiwan's independence is unpopular and doomed to failure.”

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