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Why Taiwan’s Office Leaving Pretoria for Joburg Matters in 2025
A move years in the making
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has officially closed the chapter on Taiwan’s long-standing base in Pretoria. Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that the Taiwan office is being relocated to Johannesburg, where it will operate under its new name: the Taiwan Commercial Office. For the government, this is the final step in a process that has stretched over months of back-and-forth talks between Pretoria and Taipei.
South Africa ended formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan back in 1997 when it recognised Beijing as the official government of China. Since then, Taiwan has been represented locally through trade and commercial channels rather than diplomatic ones. The relocation from Pretoria to Johannesburg reflects this shift and, according to Lamola, brings South Africa in line with how many other capitals treat Taiwan.
Why Johannesburg?
Lamola explained that the decision was more than a logistical shuffle. Johannesburg is South Africa’s commercial hub, home to most of the country’s trade networks and global business exchanges. By moving the office here, the government is reinforcing the view that Taiwan’s presence is strictly economic, not political.
The deadline for relocation had initially been set for October 2024 and was later extended to March 2025. While those dates were missed due to negotiations, the latest gazette confirms the move is now final. “We consider it done,” Lamola said when addressing the media.
Taipei pushes back
Not everyone is on board with how the transition has been handled. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly accused Lamola of spreading “false” information during a recent briefing, particularly around his claim that Taiwan has no representative office in Washington, DC. The ministry went further, saying South Africa had misrepresented international realities and was abandoning a 1997 agreement.
This diplomatic skirmish underscores how sensitive Taiwan’s global standing remains. While South Africa insists the relocation is about trade, Taiwan views it as a downgrade of its international recognition.
Public and regional context
Locally, the news has attracted attention for what it signals about South Africa’s balancing act in foreign policy. Many observers note that this is another example of Pretoria walking a fine line between maintaining strong ties with Beijing and preserving practical trade relations with Taipei.
Johannesburg itself may benefit from the relocation. With its status as the country’s financial centre, having Taiwan’s office in the city could enhance trade opportunities, particularly in technology and manufacturing, sectors where Taiwan has global expertise.
Looking ahead
For now, the Taiwan Commercial Office in Johannesburg will continue to handle trade and investment matters. What remains uncertain is whether Taiwan and South Africa will manage to avoid further public disputes over the interpretation of their agreements. What is clear is that Johannesburg has once again become the focal point of South Africa’s international positioning, reinforcing its role not only as the heart of commerce but also as a stage where global politics play out.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Central News
