The South African Foreign Ministry stated, "Relocating what will be rebranded as Trade Offices... will be a true reflection of the non-political and non-diplomatic nature of the relationship between the Republic of South Africa and Taiwan." This emphasizes South Africa's desire to define its ties with Taiwan strictly along economic lines without any political implications.
Taiwan's government only has official recognition from a dozen countries, while many maintain informal diplomatic ties with the island. This situation highlights the precarious status of Taiwan in the international community, amid pressures from larger powers.
South Africa's decision to ask Taiwan to relocate its office while maintaining informal relations underscores the delicate balance the country is trying to achieve in its foreign policy, particularly in respect to its significant trade relationship with China.
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