Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
REACTION TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR JOHN CHANG
As President Mandela indicted in a communication to the President of the Republic of China, President Lee Teng-hui, there is no reason why South Africa and Taiwan cannot continue to develop mutually beneficial relations after December 1997.
The disappointment expressed by the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China regarding the announcement made by President Mandela on 27 November 1996, is appreciated. The reaction of the general public in Taiwan is also not unexpected in the circumstances. The fact of the matter, however, is that since coming to office the Government of South Africa would have maintained relations for a period of three and half years at full diplomatic level with the Republic of China by the end of 1997 and such a situation could not have been sustained.
It is most regrettable that the Government of the Republic of China has reacted in the manner indicated by their Foreign Minister earlier today, as the reaction will influence our sincere desire that the friendly relations that have been built up over the years should continue to the mutual benefit of South Africa and the Republic of China.
We reiterate that we would like to conduct our relations after 1997 at the highest level, short of diplomatic relations. We would further wish that the transition in relations should take place in a smooth and amicable manner.
It is, however, the prerogative of the Government of the Republic of China to determine their response to this notification of the intended change of status in our relations.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 5 DECEMBER 1996