Lamola says SA maintains its position on Taiwan office relocation

MINISTER of International Relations and Co-operation, Ronald Lamola says the relocation of the Taiwanese Liaison Office (TLO) from Pretoria to Johannesburg is to ensure that South Africa maintains its independent foreign policy position while reaffirming China's sovereignty over Taiwan.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

"It (the decision) reflects the long-standing commitment to the one China policy, aligning with most nations in recognising China's sovereignty over Taiwan as only 12 countries recognise Taiwan as separate from China," the minister stated in response to a parliamentary question from ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip, Lerato Ngobeni.

Despite the March 31 deadline, the Taiwan embassy in Pretoria remains operational, more than two weeks after the deadline for its relocation from Pretoria to Johannesburg.

According to the Taipei Times, the Taipei government is still awaiting a response from the South African government regarding its demand that Taiwan's representative office be relocated from Pretoria and renamed by the end of this month, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.