Taiwan protests South Africa de-recognition of Pretoria office

Taiwan protests South Africa de-recognition of Pretoria office

South Africa has sparked controversy by de-recognizing the Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria and recognizing the Taipei Commercial Office in Johannesburg instead. This change, effective from April 1, 2025, follows South Africa's adherence to the One China Policy and its alignment with international consensus on China's representation [1].

The decision has led to protests from Taiwan, which argues that the move is a political one rather than a technical or commercial adjustment. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has expressed its disappointment, stating that the change undermines the economic and technical cooperation between the two nations [1].

The shift in recognition is part of South Africa's broader strategy to align with the PRC. In 1998, South Africa formally established diplomatic relations with the PRC, severing ties with Taiwan but maintaining non-political, non-diplomatic engagements in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, science, and education [1].

The move comes amidst South Africa's presidency of the G20, which is grappling with various economic challenges, including debt stress, financing for development, and the energy transition. South Africa is seeking to leverage its presidency to address these issues and promote an African agenda [2].

Meanwhile, the UK has announced an infrastructure partnership with South Africa to boost investment in the country. The pact, announced in Durban during the G20 meetings, aims to speed up the delivery of major infrastructure projects, which are crucial for economic growth and job creation [3].

South Africa's economy has grown at less than 1% a year on average for over a decade, and the country needs significant investment to meet its infrastructure goals. The UK's technical expertise is expected to help unblock barriers to building and speed up the pipeline of projects, benefiting both South Africa and British firms [3].

References:

[1] https://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/taipei-liaison-office-in-pretoria-no-longer-recogn
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/issues-on-the-agenda-at-the-g20-finance-meeting-in-south-africa-4141283
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/uk-s-reeves-announces-south-africa-infrastructure-pact-to-boost-investment?srnd=homepage-americas