South Africa asks Taiwan to move its de facto embassy from Pretoria

South Africa has requested Taiwan to move its de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg, rebranding it as a Trade Office.

This decision follows South Africa's severance of diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 and is framed as standard diplomatic practice.

Taiwan, however, accused South Africa of succumbing to pressure from China, which welcomed the relocation.

South Africa emphasized that the change reflects the non-political nature of its relationship with Taiwan, while Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed concerns about the implications for its ties with South Africa amid growing relations between South Africa and China.