SA orders Taiwan office move

DISTANCING: TAIPEI TOLD TO LEAVE PRETORIA, BECOME TRADE CENTRE IN JOBURG

- Eric Naki

The South African government has given Taiwan's Liaison Office (TLO) in South Africa some bad news following its National Day, apparently after pressure from China.

The office has 28 days to pack up and relocate away from Pretoria, or face being evicted.

But the department of international relations and cooperation played down the issue, describing it as "mischaracterisation of its engagements with the Taipei liaison office".

Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said: “Relocating what will be rebranded as trade offices both in Taipei and in Johannesburg, which is standard diplomatic practice, will be a true reflection of the nonpolitical and nondiplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan.

"The trade office will be placed in Johannesburg, SA's economic hub.

"This also aligns with standard diplomatic practice that capital cities are the seats of foreign embassies and high commissions.”

But the diplomatic community expressed concern. Sources say the move could backfire against SA as there are those in Taiwan pushing for Taipei to retaliate by stopping all computer chip exports to SA.