The relocation of the Taipei Liaison Office (ILO) to Gauteng has stirred controversy between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and the DA.
In a statement released on Friday, Dirco expressed concern about the “mischaracterisation” of its engagements with the Taipei Liaison Office (TLO), clearly referring to a statement by the DA expressing its concerns.
“South Africa’s democratic government severed political and diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997. This is consistent with resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly, which is widely adhered to by the international community,” according to the Dirco statement.
“Relocating what will be rebranded as trade offices both in Taipei and Johannesburg, which is standard diplomatic practice, will be a true reflection of the non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan.”
Dirco says the TLO will be “appropriately” placed in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub. “This also aligns with standard diplomatic practice that capital cities are the seats of foreign embassies and High Commissions.
“Several engagements have been held with the TLO to correct this anomaly, despite third-party countries' approaches, which is an unusual diplomatic practice.”
The DA, however, has a different take on the move.
“The bilateral framework that permits Taiwan trade and consular representation in both Pretoria and Cape Town has been in place for 26 years,” says Emma Louise Powell, DA spokesperson on international relations.
“While the DA acknowledges South Africa’s long-standing interpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758, which aligns with the recognition of One China, we have not been provided with any motivation that justifies a unilateral change to the terms of our bilateral framework with Taiwan.
“It is clear that pressure is being brought to bear on Pretoria by external actors in the context of both broader geopolitical tensions, and the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU).”
As a sovereign democracy, the DA says South Africa must resist external pressures and demonstrate its commitment to consistently applying its policy of non-alignment.
Powell points out that South Africa exports $540 million in coal, $180m in grain, and $180m in automobiles to Taiwan annually. “It is critical that Taiwan continues to enjoy consular and trade representation on the same basis that they have done since 1998."
In light of increased global tensions and the concomitant pressures being applied to middle powers worldwide, the DA says it will leverage its position within the GNU to ensure a consensus-based approach to determining how South Africa navigates complex geopolitical issues to advance its national interest.
