By : Lloyd Mahachi

South Africa has requested that Taiwan relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital, to Johannesburg, its commercial hub. This move is seen as a significant development, highlighting Beijing’s growing influence among developing nations. The decision underscores China’s increasing sway over South Africa, its largest trading partner globally.

Taiwan and South Africa have maintained unofficial diplomatic relations since 1998, when Pretoria severed formal ties with Taiwan in favor of China. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, and this latest move is likely to increase tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, welcomed South Africa’s decision, stating that the “One China principle” is a widely recognized norm in international relations. However, Taipei has accused Pretoria of bowing to pressure from China.

The relocation request comes at a critical time, with Taiwan recently marking its national day and sparking military drills by China. This has heightened tensions between the two nations. The move also precedes the BRICS annual summit in Russia, where cooperation between China and South Africa is expected to be a key agenda item.

The implications of this development are far-reaching, with significant consequences for diplomatic relations between South Africa, China, and Taiwan. As China’s influence continues to expand, nations like South Africa are faced with delicate balancing acts between economic interests and diplomatic allegiances.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi