Beijing: The South African government has issued a Government Gazette officially withdrawing its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan’s representative office in Pretoria. It has also called on the Taiwan authorities to relocate the institution to Johannesburg and rename the “Taipei Liaison Office” in Cape Town as the “Taipei Commercial Office.”
When asked to comment on the issue, the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that the one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with countries around the world. It is also a fundamental norm in international relations and a widely held consensus within the international community.
The measures taken by the South African government are positive steps in upholding the one-China principle. They align with the spirit of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and form an integral part of the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. China appreciates these actions and is willing to continue providing firm mutual support to South Africa on issues involving each other’s core interests, Guo said. -Global Times
