Cape Town — United States Congressman have hit back at South Africa’s decision to move the Taiwan Liaison Office from Pretoria to Johannesburg.
In a statement released last week, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRC)) noted the mischaracterisation of the engagements with the Taipei Liaison office (TLO).
South Africa severed political and diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 as per resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly, which is widely adhered to by the international community.
“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 non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan,” it said,
The TLO is set to be rebranded as a trade office and will be placed in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, while the South African Liasion Office (SALO) in Taipei will also be rebranded as a trade office.
Among the American senators to criticise South Africa’s move included Senator Marsha Blackburn, who said South Africa was working with China and said the United State could not give benefits to country that prioritised China.
“The United States should not tolerate this behavior from South Africa. I am calling on @SecBlinken and the Biden administration to make it clear that there will be consequences if South Africa works with the CCP to bully Taiwan, including removal of South Africa from the AGOA trade program.”
South Africa is working with Communist China in an attempt to force Taiwan to move its diplomatic office out of the South African capital. The United States should not tolerate this behavior from South Africa.
I am calling on @SecBlinken and the Biden administration to make it…
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 22, 2024
US Senator, Tom Cotton, agreed with Blackburn’s views and said South Africa’s aggression against Taiwan was “disturbing and inappropriate”.
“I along with all Arkansans stand firmly with Taiwan in the face of bullying from the Chinese Communists and their cronies,” he said,
South Africa’s aggression against Taiwan on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party is deeply disturbing and inappropriate.
I along with all Arkansans stand firmly with Taiwan in the face of bullying from the Chinese Communists and their cronies.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 22, 2024
“We hope that both sides can communicate and leave room for change, but we have also planned a worst-case scenario,” Lin said.
Phiri reiterated DIRCO’s stance and rubbished the claims that China has any involvement in Pretoria’s decision.
“To suggest that like the apartheid State, we should behave in a rogue manner and completely ignore UN resolutions is deeply unfortunate and I think those who are arguing that this position is in favour of another government should really apply themselves to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations but also with the historical position that the democratic government has taken since 1997,” said Phiri.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
