Members of government in the U.S.A., the U.K., and France expressed their support for Taiwan amid the South African government's insistence on downgrading Taiwan’s representative office, and removing it from the capital.
Earlier this week, the South African government renewed calls for Taiwan to move its representative office, the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa, from Pretoria, as well as to change its name to a Taiwanese “trade office” both of which have been firmly rejected by Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry on the basis that it violates of their existing agreement.
However, Taiwan has received support from abroad with Mark Green– chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee– and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz saying via X it is a mistake to bow to Chinese pressure on the matter. Young Kim, Chair of the U.S House Foreign Affairs Asia Pacific Subcommittee, also said via X that she would stand with Taiwan against China’s intimidation, urging South Africa not to succumb to Chinese manipulation.
Taiwan’s own Foreign Ministry has been very clear on its stance and does not accept South Africa’s violation of the 1997 bilateral relations agreement. They have vowed to continue communicating with the South African government on the principles of reciprocal dignity. As the host of the 2025 G20 Summit, the Foreign Ministry has also urged South Africa not to take any drastic or coercive measures that would jeopardize the operations of Taiwan’s overseas offices, at least until the two countries can come to a consensus on the issue.