Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to US House Africa Subcommittee Chairman Smith expressing concern over South Africa’s recent announcement regarding Taiwan’s liaison offices
July 23, 2025
The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup session on July 22 in which the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was discussed. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, noted in his statement of facts that South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had issued a statement on July 21 retroactively changing the name of the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa, which had been established by a formal agreement between Taiwan and South Africa in 1997. He said that the US Congress was closely following the issue and that any unilateral attempt to violate the bilateral agreement or change the status quo would be unacceptable.
He added that the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record and efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa were worrying and affected South Africa’s image as a reliable international partner. Chairman Smith commended the Democratic Alliance in South Africa’s government of national unity for defending democratic Taiwan and resisting pro-CCP actors in the government. He called on South Africa to reject pressure from the CCP and return to the legally binding status quo.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sincerely welcomes Chairman Smith’s statements and thanks him for speaking up for Taiwan. Minister Lin once again solemnly urges the South African government to uphold the spirit of the agreement, abide by the 1997 legal framework concerning bilateral relations between Taiwan and South Africa, and promptly engage in dialogue with Taiwan based on the principles of parity and dignity. He reiterates that South Africa should not unilaterally change the name or status of Taiwan’s liaison offices or employ any other coercive measures against them before both sides have reached a consensus through consultations.