RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND TAIWAN

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

MEDIA STATEMENT ON RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND TAIWAN

Over many years South Africa and the Republic of China have built up substantial relations to the mutual benefit of both their peoples. Current bilateral trade is in excess of R6,7 billion per annum and Taiwanese investment in SA in excess of R5 billion. In order to preserve and to build on the already substantial economic, cultural, scientific and other relations, South Africa and the Republic of China have reached a satisfactorily arrangement for after the severance of diplomatic relations.

The new arrangement conforms to international law and state practice and will ensure continued exchanges between the various sectors in South Africa and Taiwan as well as the peoples of both sides to mutual benefit. Through these arrangements, the interests of the many thousands of Taiwanese in South Africa and South Africans in Taiwan will be safeguarded. The South African office that will attend to the South African interests in Taiwan will be known as the Liaison Office of South Africa. The offices of Taiwan in South Africa and the Taipei Liaison Offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 22 DECEMBER 1997