Taiwan Strongly Protests South Africa’s Unilateral Renaming and Downgrading of Diplomatic Offices
Taipei, Taiwan – July 24, 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan has issued a strong protest against a recent announcement by the South African government regarding the renaming and downgrading of Taiwan’s representative offices in South Africa. The Ministry expressed its profound regret and disappointment over this unilateral action, which it views as a significant breach of diplomatic understanding and a disregard for established practices.
According to a statement released by MOFA today, South Africa’s decision to unilaterally rename Taiwan’s liaison offices and alter their designated status has been met with strong condemnation. Taiwan views these measures as a clear attempt to diminish the substantive ties and official representation it maintains within South Africa.
The Ministry emphasized that the current designations and operations of Taiwan’s representative offices in South Africa have been conducted in accordance with mutual understanding and practice, contributing to functional cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. The sudden and unilateral nature of these changes by the South African government is seen as undermining the spirit of constructive engagement.
MOFA has conveyed its firm opposition to South Africa through all available diplomatic channels. The Ministry is urging the South African government to reconsider its decision and to engage in dialogue with Taiwan to find an appropriate resolution that respects the existing cooperative framework. Taiwan remains committed to fostering friendly relations and practical cooperation with countries around the world, and it expects its diplomatic partners to uphold these principles in their interactions.
This development raises concerns about South Africa’s adherence to principles of international diplomatic conduct and its commitment to maintaining functional and respectful relations with entities that do not have formal diplomatic recognition. Taiwan hopes for a swift rectification of this situation to prevent further damage to bilateral relations and to ensure a stable environment for ongoing exchanges.
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